Thank you, Professor Reich, for acknowledging every single thing I have been feeling!! I have felt outrage because I felt hopeless that any thing I did would make any difference. My despair was keeping me awake and worried. I applied for a passport to get out of America! My cynicism caused me to snap and snarl at my family and friends. I felt I was on a roller coaster!! I did stop scrolling and engaging in political conversations and felt much better, but I know I have to do something. Your article was exactly what I needed to bring everything into focus. There are plenty of things I can do to help President Biden win and I have already begun to fight the good fight!! Thank you, too, for the list of organizations! That was most helpful. I am through letting the little orange man occupy space in my brain! I will work very hard to get people to vote and I will repeat President Biden's accomplishments like a mantra!! Goodbye trump, hello America!!
Peggy Freeman, I am so sorry you have been so overwhelmed with these terribly strong emotions and thoughts. I am glad you aired them, so you can breathe. It is going to be alright because we have each other to unite with and for support. And when it comes to wise action, every action no matter how small or how large is great because all of it adds to the momentum for unity and more wise action. Be well, my friend. Know it will be alright.
Thank you, M Tree! I feel much better now than I did. You are right. We are in this fight together and I do appreciate the support I feel from the people on here. My actions are not large but when you put all of our little actions together, it becomes huge! I am all for unity, God knows we need it now! Thank you again for your kind words!
But there is NO box to tick in a voting booth that says
"We the people (respectfully submit) - that the services of either hinged or unhinged zombie snakes is no longer required
Spoiler alert the constitution was rigged by aged slave owning frat-boys for a world wide mercantile republic propped up by millions of transported slaves.
well for one thing - phone bank people! That's the hard work. It's easy to donate money and let someone else do the canvas and phones - why aren't you working the phones? The internet makes it easy. I can do 25 calls in an hour - what about you?
Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb. To some, these names are meaningless, to others, these are the names of three counties in Southeastern lower Michigan that can swing the entire state depending on the whims of the people that inhabit this area. The largest concentration of Muslims outside of the Middle East live in Dearborn Michigan which is in Wayne County. With the mess in the Middle East, voters in Michigan can be sabotaged by a group of immigrants who have settled in the state but still carry allegiance to the people of Palestine, and elsewhere in that area. The group can't see the importance of supporting President Biden over Trump. This is disturbing because if Biden doesn't win Trump will pose a greater threat to these people than they could ever imagine. The treatment of the people in Gaza by the IDF and Hamas has been the regrettable result of the war between these two groups. Innocent civilians caught between opposing forces is the sad result of wars everywhere. President Biden doesn't support the carnage in the Middle East, which seems to be growing by the day. As our commander and chief, he supports the best wishes of the Israeli people as a whole, not the efforts put forth by Netanyahu. If the Muslims in Michigan refuse to see Biden's predicament it's every possible they could represent a force that could swing the state of Michigan in favor of Trump. Blindness, of one degree or another, seems to be rampant in our voting community. People who support Trump should be given long white canes with a red tip at the end. This country has but one path to a progressive future and that is by giving support to President Biden. To the people of Dearborn, it's time to rethink their stance on what is happening over there when we have our own problems erupting over here. Without Biden in the White House neither group will find peace in the future. No matter what position Netanyahu carries out in the Middle East, it doesn't reflect the wishes of this country. Biden can't make Netanyahu do anything other than what he wishes. The war over there will have to find its own end, and we need to stay out of it.
Doug--It's not a question of finance, Israel would do exactly as they currently are regardless of what this country does. Remove our support and the end results would be the same. We
Susanne--That is exactly what Biden is doing, we don't support the carnage seen over there as a direct result of Israel's actions. Diplomacy is not always obvious. but I can assure you our President has expresses his concern over the safety of the people living in Gaza. We aren't always privileged to the conversations that take place between world leaders.
Suzanne, this troubling situation with Israel and Hamas shows us just how complicated things in the Middle East have been for centuries. It seems first of all, a 2-state solution is essential before addressing anything else. Then Israel will have to decide what kind of country it wants to be. Right now, it is becoming exactly what the Jewish people of the past hated and wanted to escape and it is using practices that were used on them, against the Palestinian people, a bit at a time until they now, essentially have ghettos that are somewhat larger than most in Europe of the past, but are ghettos nonetheless. That should be acceptable to no Jewish person anywhere, no Christian person either. Trump alas and his handlers have no concept of what is happening anywhere in the world let alone in one of the most complex areas like Israel/Gaza. How anyone who cares about the Israel/Gaza conflict could/would vote for Trump is incomprehensible.
How do they continue without our supplying bombs. Why did the U S State Department approve two emergency shipments of arms to Israel without the approval of Congress. Why does Biden request 14.3 billion dollars of additional to Israel. They need it to continue doing what they are doing. I disagree with you.
Doug-- That is your right. In a divorce, do the kids know and understand all the issues their parents are fighting over, or do they just see the obvious confrontations? I don't know everything that is happening between the countries involved.
Doug Allam, we give a few percentages of our budget to foreign countries. It's a good investment. We've given 3.4 billion to Afghanistan during the war, now it's 816 million. We have given over 2 billion to Egypt, now it's over 1 billion, We have given 1.9 billion to Jordan, now it's over a billion and we have given 3.1 billion to Israel and so far it's nothing because of rethuglican intransigence. You are making a false statement. Give me your evidence for biden requesting 14.3 billion to Israel.
Greg--This country has given Israel almost $260 billion in aid in recent years. However, this country's desires for peace over there will soon be replaced by a feeling of indecision. We don't support the civilian deaths occurring in Gaza by any means and for our people not to see that is pure ignorance. Netanyahu will act as he sees fit regardless of our "Past" support. But watch to see if our support doesn't begin to wane as the efforts of the IDF continue to progress in the wrong direction. Israel is sitting on a huge natural oil deposit,
broaden your vision Greg. Support for Israel has been going on since 1948, because Israel is an unsinkable air craft carrier in the mid east, and the mid east pumps oil, which keeps civilization rolling on, fact is that you would not be posting your stuff here., much less earning a living, which enables you to post your haughty opinions and feed yourself, your family were it not for oil.
Like it or not. oil is a vital resource, that keeps YOU alive and prosperous enough to afford a cell phone, computer and ISP.
And the Islamic Tyrants of the mid east, virtually control the worlds supply, and could make life miserable, and have done so in the past with reducing supply and embargos.
The only thing in the past that has deterred these tyrants is the threat from the unsinkable aircraft carrrier called Israel.
The curse of oil is that the world is addicted tot it, that an coal, and it's continued and accelerated use, will spell the end of mammalian life, and that will be a blessing, because humanity is a parasitic and cannibalistic species., that has done what most species, except rodents, do and that is to befoul their own habitat and be the cause of their own extinction, except rodents can live, thrive and reproduce amidst their own waste, but humans can't.
Amen! And now Nancy Pelosi wants people INVESTIGATED BY THE FBI WHO ARE DEMONSTRATING AND PROTESTING FOR A CEASE- FIRE! SHE THINKS PUTIN IS PUTTING THEM UP TO IT! WOW! TALK ABOUT DEMENTIA! TIME TO RETIRE, NANCY, TIME TO RETIRE!
Thanks Donald, you eloquently voiced my concern. There are groups that suffer from myopia, and in turn are their own worst enemies. Peeved at Democrats because they haven't got everything that they wanted, they threaten to either sit out the election of vote for a third party, like Cornell West.
They are going to flip the bird to the Democratic Party and Biden, they sure are, that will show them, the idiots, the fools, because doing so will elect Trump and the neo fascists and that will be the end of them, well at least they had the satisfaction of flipping Biden and Dems the bird, as they are shunted onto cattle cars.
And they demand respect. No effin way, they earn nothing but disrespect and disgust.
I will vote for the Democratic candidate. I agree that we can't support 3rd parties this time around. But in a perfect world, I'd vote for Cornel West, the most progressive candidate in the race. Ed Phillips is a shill for Biden.
Greg I have mixed feelings on Cornell, I've listened to him many times, and I agree with the gist of his profound pronouncements, but that is the problem.
Cornell exerts great effort to sound loquacious, profound and educated, and he talks over the host. Talking over is a right wing tactic, because when a person dominates the conversation, they keep it steered in their direction, and thus do not have to answer any questions.
But his use of "big words" and his stream of consciousness speech, is a tactic to compensate for what is an inferiority complex.
This is difficult to say, without realizing I am going to receive defensive attacks, but remember when Obama appeared on the public scene, and so many in the media and politics were astonished at how eloquent he was? The racist stereotype of blacks is blackish ghetto speak.
Cornell over compensates, and thus talks over the heads of even the educated, and that is not a sign of a savy person, or even an educated person.
I was a military training instructor and had to write lesson plans, and was taught not to write or speak anything greater than the level of an 8th grader, hat was in 1962, today it would be a 3rd or 5th grader, depending on audience.
That is common sense. Cornell West need to prove himself, shows his lack of common sense, that and the fact that he has no experience in governing, and absolutely no connections or knowledge of beltway politics and culture.
He would not be effective, neither would Maryanne Williamson, and as such they would be at the mercy of power player insiders, just as Obama, who was swooped down on like a vulture by Larry Summers and Rahm Emanuel.
Nothing gets done in D.C. without Congress. Unless you are dicktator like Trump and have your own legion of Brownshirts.
Yes, Lee, you’re right. I remember listening a few years ago to a discussion broadcast on the radio show “Democracy Now” that featured several University professors discussing Marxist theory. None of it made any sense to me: it’s easy for academics to get caught up on abstractions and to ignore everyday reality. Workers don’t need “historical determinism;” they need decent working conditions, human hours of work, and a living wage — not a theory of history.
And today the mayor of Dearborn and other officials made public statements that, for example, tell Biden he is not welcome/should not come to Dearborn, as he apparently had planned to do, because they do not want him there, will not support him, etc. etc. Have those leaders of a very large Muslim population in Dearborn/area forgotten that the "man" they are helping advance toward re-election (tRump) had a ban on Muslim immigration when he was in office??!! An outright ban based on religion, on THEIR religion?!! This goes way beyond their opposition to Biden's support for Israel; this is outright support for tRump - and that is outrageous!
Let's address the elephant in the room. Black history tells us that a majority of them are no friends of Israel or Jews. They support the Palestinians and their history shows a lack of appreciation for Jews and their efforts to support them. Together with Muslims and Blacks who even converted to Islam, they make up a formidable coalition against Jews. It's not at all surprising that Joe Biden is not welcome in Dearborn, Michigan.
South Africa is made up of a 76% black population. The recent IJC decision accusing Israel of genocide which gave South Africa a leg up and a diplomatic win, as they see themselves as the world champion of human rights. Right now, there is a fight going on between the US, China and Russia for their minerals. In this regard the IJC decision was a tremendous boon to South Africa's standing for human rights. Blacks in this country going back to Mandela have been opposed to Israel in this country and in South Africa. They see Jews as their oppressors, however, their slave masters in the South get hardly a notice in the media or press. Examples of this abound. Ali Velshi and Ayman Mohyeldin as well as Chris Hayes never miss a chance to defend the Palestinian cause. The often join the both sideism choir. "They have a right to defend themselves with two hands tied behind their back. It's only recently that Reverend Al Sharpton has changed his tune, and we hear less of the strident Jessie Jackson's opposition to Israel and Jews, despite the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, all civil rights activists who were murdered because of their defense of black human rights. Two out of 3 of them were Jews, but the black press and MSM are silent on the subject. People need to connect the dots.
I wrote postcards for Indivisible during the midterms.They are very proactive all over.Maybe you could contact them and see what they have going in Michigan.It's worth a try!
I find your comments very offensive. You denounce Arab Americans for their understandable outrage and despair over the ongoing slaughter in Gaza. Would you also denounce Jewish Americans who support Israel and vote accordingly?
And I find it baffling that you would say that Biden has no influence over Netanyahu. He could certainly end funding, the supply of weapons, and diplomatic cover in the UN.
Lyn--Back up. I never said anything against Arab Americans! I do find an objection to how they view what is happening in the Middle East. Biden can voice his opinion on the issues to Netanyahu, but the man has a mind of his own. After seeing the carnage Hamas rendered on 10/7 Netanyahu had little choice but to retaliate. Biden would have agreed as would I, the rub comes into play when the world witnessed the severity of the strikes the Israeli military was throwing at the Palestinian people in Gaza. There is nothing offensive surrounding what we all said concerning how we viewed the results. The destruction was plain as black and white. I feel your feelings about the subject have caused you to find fault with anyone willing to discuss the subject. I hold no ill will against my Arab neighbors, I just find an objection with them being so near sighted they can't see the detriment in not supporting President Biden in the 2024 election. If Trump gets in the people of the Middle East that live in this country will suffer needlessly. I realize Biden needs to curtail military support to Netanyahu as his mission is in direct opposition to what we view as being humane. The Arab American must tighten their bootstraps and consider the negatives found in their decision not to support Joe. That position I find stupid.
Lynn--This country is at a tipping point, if Trump gets back in, what we have in this country will be lost to an anti-Arab, anti-Jewish, anti-Black, President that is still in love with the likes of Adolf Hitler. Biden and the free people of this country need The Arabian people in Dearborn Michigan to look past issues that Biden has no control over and find direction in the good people who need your understanding not your disapproval.
Lynn-. I live adjacent to the largest Arab population outside of the Middle East. These are a peaceful, good people who left their ancestral homes in an attempt to find a better place to live and raise their families. The Arab communities in my state are a vital element in any election process, and I value their decisions related to the candidates on the ticket. However, this group's condemnation of President Biden over the mess that Netanyahu is orchestrating in Gaza leaves me wondering what are they thinking. Donald Trump is every bit as bad to this country as Netanyahu is to Palestine and its people. The Arab population that lives within our borders has to separate themselves from what they see over there and concentrate on what they need to support over here, in an effort to help save a country from a mad man. I feel their pain but they are here not there, and President Biden needs their votes in the next election. Another solution would be for "President Trump" to ask them very politely to move back to where they came from. Don't think for a minute he hasn't thought of a nice way to address the issue. Trump doesn't want any Arads, Jews, or Mexicans in this country. They violate his ethnic code of genetic excelience. Mr. Trump even holds our own people of color in a negative light. To him, if you're not white you're not right. President Biden and this country needs your support to defeat Trump. For anyone to hold onto the position that President Biden is supporting Netanyahu needs to ask themselves this question, "Why is Washington sending a steady stream of diplomats to Israel, it isn't to invite Netanyahu to lunch." Biden is disgusted by what he sees happening to the innocent people of Gaza, we all are.
Donald, how is it a war between Hamas and Israel? Maybe we consider every women and child along with all men as members of Hamas. When we watch live feed of what is going on in Gaza and West Bank it is impossible to feel that the war is between Hamas and IDF as IDF has murdered over 26,000 mostly women and children in Gaza alone.
Donald, Wow, that was a true note to all people who have special interests. Donald Trump will help none of them unless those interests involve hurting others for Trump's gain. It can be really hard to get that across to angry people. Anger is an emotion that can keep folks from noticing what is really going on. Also, I am not generally insulted, but implying that those Trump voters are the white cane type of blind people is rather insulting to those of us who actually depend on those white canes with the red tip (to help us get around and sighted people notice that we are around and vulnerable to their actions). Maybe a more appropriate analogy might be that Trump voters are wearing visors with only Trump's picture with his mouth running the same hatreds over and over. Maybe if they took the visors off, they could be acquainted with the truth.
This is a question of ignorance, but why does the US support Israel? Is there some kind of agreement that causes us to protect and support them like a baby sister? Is it purely religious? Is it their location in the Middle East?
Yes Midwest. I think that you knew the answer. Israel is an unsinkable, well armed, well trained, well supplied land locked aircraft carrier and submarined with it's own supply of nuclear missiles.
I rather suspect that Israel would, rather than be beheaded by Islamists, rsort to the nuclear option. I would, if I was going to be taken out by those that want me dead and gone, I would take as many of them with me as I could.
Beth--The Michigan militia--is nothing more than a group of lost individuals trying to find relevance in an existence where they see no future. Too small to make a difference. Anyone who supports Trump. will have to take a back seat to reality.
I just turned 72 so IDK how much time I have to change my perspective. It hasn't changed much since I voted for Nader in 2000. I was a 3rd-party candidate once myself.
Greg--We as observers, are like crows sitting on a fence, we see what is going on but the complexities surrounding the conflict over there are hidden from us. It is good to voice our opinions, but hesitation should be given in our weak attempts at finding a solution to a situation we don't understand. There has been a constant flow of government officials from this country heading over there, not give advice as to how to extract more civilian lives, they are over there in an effort to find a peaceful solution to a conflict that has no real answer.
Janet, do you have success in swaying people with 25 calls in an hour or do you just remind Democrats to vote? I’m not familiar with doing phone banking. It seems that most people would not pick up a number they don’t recognize. Do they ask you questions? If so, what are the most frequently asked?
I am honest, polite means not hurting some ones feelings, but honest expression results in hurting some ones feelings, so a conundrum, polite and honest are at opposite ends.
i wish that were the case, but with the Electoral College, and gerrymandering, and the Trump aggressively taking over election supervision/certification positions, i think we'll need a huge Blue tsunami to beat Trumpism once and for all. If it's close, I can already hear the cries of "rigged" and "stolen".
If ever there was a need for a landslide Blue Wave, it's now.
But as you can see from the passionate debate over Palestine, and from the presence of 3rd party candidates siphoning off (disappointed or protesting voters), it'll be all hands on deck.
Hopefully sites like this can help to unify and motivate anti-Trump voters to focus on the only issue: defeat Trump in Nov. No other issue should take precedence over that.
I don't disagree but I like to have hope. I'm reading an excellent book you might like. It's the last 24 hours of Robespierre. The liberal groups were all fighting for control and how the government kept rolling over and heads too. In the end, women and minorities still lost out on their rights.
It's interesting isn't it. That humans can be such failures at simple tasks like treating each other with respect and dignity???
thanks for the reference; our current culture of lack of respect has been approved and celebrated by that ugly Trump, and we'll all be better off when he's gone. I still have hope, mainly because I think women voters will come through and dump the misogynist pig. Just sayin'
I do it on the web. There is a website I paste stuff from Lib-Talk.com that has a listing of facts arranged by topic for pasting to comments sections to challenge right wing lies and also to promote Biden's policies. Probably a DNC thing. It's convenient and interesting to read. Concentrated factoids. More people should use it.
My favorite quote among all of them, might be the first one:
“I’ve been around for a long time and it just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans.” - Donald Trump in an interview with Wolf Blitzer, 2004.
Janet, I agree that phone banking is powerful. I also know there are people that hate phone banking, but maybe they love writing letters to the editor, driving people to rallies, handing flyers out at campaign events, designing and creating campaign pieces, talking to people about why they support a candidate.
There are many things we can do. I just suggest you find YOUR comfort zone, then get out there and make a difference.
Janet, my intent was to put out options. It is incredibly difficult to bring new people onboard. Many have no idea how much we can all do in order to make a difference.
I can say, with total honesty, I hate phone banking but am great at writing Letters to the Editor, and talking to people. I got into politics about fifteen years ago. Boy, did I start out slow 8)! I sat and I listened for one city election cycle (I am a watcher). I was not a happy camper so I stuck with my senate district and found out I am pretty good at recognizing need. My community needed to engage minorities sooooo I was elected to be the district Outreach and Inclusion Officer. Oh my, what did I get into? I am white, I am woman, and I am now 73 years old. What I did know was growing up poor with very flawed parents, I was an outsider and that was not a good thing where I grew up. I listen with an open mind and I learned my struggles were not all that different from other peoples. I started by talking to the insiders, very intimidating, but they listened, I came up with simple ways to open our political arms, registering new voters, driving folks to meetings, setting up gatherings at apartments that were primarily minority residents. It worked well and I was happy. Then somebody got me to attend our Congressional District Meeting. I guess my reputation preceded me because I was elected to be Outreach and Inclusion Officer for a bigger group with a little bit different issues. Some of them were inside the party and I was peeved. A bad thing, peeving me, I worked to the top of the party addressing some of our deeply ingrained issues. My next move was to be Outreach and Inclusion office for our Environmental Caucus. More work, more learning but knowing I was making differences where I went. Finally, I moved to a small town in Minnesota with a very different political view than my own. I could not find a new home for my need to work for change. I have now been in that small town for five years and a year ago I ran for City Council and now hold a seat there. I am learning much different things, but again, seem to have found my niche. I see issues that need a person to articulate and highlight those issues. This year is the year I begin fighting for those who need a voice, and strong shoulders to help make change.
Remember every stamp on a letter, every ride to the grocery store is an opportunity, every time we lend an ear and a hand we make a change in the town, the state, the country, the universe!
Find your niche, one baby step at a time. You will not regret it.
LOL - yes but I do love the beaches. Nikki Fried and the Florida Dems are turning it around. We need your help phone banking. Please sign up for the monthly email for opportunities.
I'm ready to "kick" these god awful reps out to the curb. Figuratively speaking.
My sister lives in FL. I have been trying to convince her to move since Rhonda Sanctimonious first reared his ugly head. Sadly, she is stuck with him for another 2 years now, unless Disney and his newly liberated Mickey "Steamboat Willie" Mouse can take him down.
Peggy, thanks for the inspiration. I am usually a pretty upbeat person but it has been hard lately when the contrasts between what happens to "real" Americans and what Trump gets away with on a daily basis is shoved into our faces every day. I need to just know we can do something about this and we are not helpless. I have read stories lately about the people who opposed the Holocaust and were active in saving people. There were not a huge number of them, but enough that thousands of lives were saved and there were people afterward who could help rebuild and institute a morality within the people who had housed perpetrators. Our struggle is not as intense or deadly as theirs, but they remind me that everyone can do something no matter how small.
Your best bet in my view is not to disparage the morbidly obese, exceptional, (formerly known as "retarded") dementia-ravaged rapist man-child. Your best bet is to tout President Biden's HISTORIC achomplishments! [sic] I'm taking about the ACTUALLY America-first CHIPS and PACT acts, and THE biggest investment in planet Earth EVER!
@DZK - why not leave? As an African American woman, who has never been treated properly in this country because of my demographic, I'm tired and see no equal rights ever happening here despite 400 years of promises. Migration is happening but I don't believe the majority of Americans are willing to right the wrongs of this country's racist, sexist past to dissuade it.
Where would you consider going? It seems difficult for black women everywhere. (Perhaps that’s why some of the wisest women I’ve known are older African American women.)
Hi Midwest, Stephanie Perry has a YouTube channel that's a resource for Black women, in particular, considering leaving America. She gives plenty of suggestions on where to go, costs, housing options, etc. Her channel is one of many resources. A lot of Black people are leaving and finding success.
What Africa countries ae not infected by misogyny, anti LGBT, have real democracies, not coups and dictatorships and racism. Yes there is racism among blacks, like Hutu's and Tutsi's.
Not discussed is the revolution in Santo Domingo, as it was then called (Now Haiti and Dominican Republic), the slaves rose up against the Whites, massacred them, those that weren't fled to hwat became Marengo Co, Alabama
Once they purged the whites, they turned on the quadroons, then came the mulattoes.
There are some tribes in Africa that consider albino flesh, medicine.
Liberia was founded by liberated slaves transported back to the continent, but it too has a troubled and violent history. And American blacks are considered to be white, and foreigners.
Kenya is suppose to be great, but not if you are looking for a job, in fact anyone who relocates overseas, better have some skill set that makes them independent.
Karen you don't see equal rights because you don't want to, You have myopia, all that you see is race. You don't see the real problem Classism, and racism is only a subset of classism, the upper class (Plutocrats, oligarchs, 1%. 10%, however you define them, keep us at each others throats, and divided, by tweaking out emotions and the lizard brain, and frankly have done a very good job of that, as yours is a constant and perpetual complaint among blacks.
No equal rights you say. Check your definition of equal rights. I say.
When the constitution was written it was written by and for property owning white men. And at the outset the common white man that didn't own property did not have the vote, but that changed slowly state by state.
This country was founded as a democratic Republic. A Republic is rule by wise men, and who were the wise men of Rome, the Senatorial Class, and who was the Senatorial class? Rich men who owned estates, large swathes of land with slaves, tending crops, animals, and performing chores.
It took almost 200 years for America to become a true democracy, where everyone was franchised, it took four amendments, the 15th, 17th,19th, and 26th to enfranchise all the people, but even then not everyone was considered a citizen with rights, not if you were homosexual or transgendered, and now the clock is ticking backwards.
There are even two blacks on the Supreme Court,but no gay or transgendered.
Karen you suffer from the disability of myopia. tunnel vision, and in that you are no different than the white Christian nationalist.
The motto of the human race is "It is all about me".
BTW Racism and sexism have been with humanity since we beat each other with sticks. It is a human legacy, not just American.
Problems have solutions, if there is no solution, then it is not a problem, but a difficulty and we have to learn to live with difficulties.
Racism is biologically evolved, to protect the tribe, and be suspicious of the other.
Sexism is biologically evolved and hormonalyly driven.
The human brain is supposedly evolved to enable the pre frontal cortex, to act as a conductor and moderate/suppress these primitive urges, but there is the ever present lizard brain. Which doesn't think but only reacts, and all humans have one, what it reacts to is threats. Some threats are instinctual, but most are learned.
Your bitch is no with America, it has made great strides since 1775, your bitch is with the species.. No matter where you go, you are going to run into the same situation.
@Lee I don't consider myself bitching and don't need you telling ME who my problem is with. There are American Black people currently living in other countries with a totally different experience than in America so no it's not the same situation everywhere.
Racism in one form or another exists wherever humans exist. It is biologic, the question is are it's harm moderated or sublimated.
Pity the blue eyed person in a society of brown eyes, and vice versa.
And what is the difference between how blacks in America are treated and in a country of your choice, that is not predominantly black.
Every country, every peoples have a different experience, people have a tendency to idolize experiences other than their own..I posted above some links to African counties which one might find to their liking, but in each on e of them, one had better come with their own job, and not as a job seeker. Kenya and Ghana are at the top of the list. Then again you have to confront the fact that you are an American, different, with no knowledge of local customs,language, dialects, slang, traditions.
Some cultures, not necessarily black, have a tradition of the "evil eye", it is the eye cast towards the outsider, he or she that does not belong.
If you are an American, in a country that is still developing the expectation is that you are rich, and thus can be expected to be harassed by kids and people seeking a handout, and be taken advantage of in the market or stores.
In my time in foreign countries, I always tried to learn the language and customs, but every where I went if you didn't haggle for a price, you weren't respected and were taken advantage of.
Yes, reality can be harsh and I can see that you make no effort to make the world better. I find your attitude towards Karen offensive. You have no reason to attack her.
Why do you think so many people, from everywhere, want to come here?
Vote Democrats into the majority, and watch this democratic republic achieve its ideals: a healthy, safe, educated public working in a robust economy, good working relationships with the rest of the world's countries.
Vote Republicans in-- or let them win in 2024 by not doing anything to get out the BLUE Vote-- and America will become a fascist state.
The inexplicit meaning of fascism is people living in fear and want-- not unlike America's own Jim Crow south.
Picasso's Guernica; why Mussolini was hanged; why Hitler killed himself, his beloved dog, his new wife so many associates; these are apexes of the results of fascism-- hinting only at what daily life is like for millions.
Actually Mussolini was only hanged AFTER he was dead. He was captured by partisans while attempting to escape to Switzerland. There may or may not have been some sort of trial or tribunal, but if so it was likely a mere formality... I don't think there was much question about his crimes or his guilt.
If you believe your vote is meaningless and don't feel that it will damage your community's interests, and you believe your treatment is so intolerable that you cannot possibly go on living >anywhere< in the US, then do as you see fit.
Most people can't emigrate to Canada or anywhere else. I checked out Canada and New Zealand, only you can bring in over a quarter of a million dollars AND a business that will create jobs Canada will not accept you, unless yo are seeking asylum (real asylum, not economic " asylum" like the Venezuelans and most "asylum seekers". New Zealand will issue a temporary residence Visa, which can be renewed if your business is sustainable.
On a lighter note, I understand Tovarich Putin has already invited disaffected МАГАт Яepuблиkan$ to emigrate to Russia. He promised to create special ghetto communities - 'cause that's >exactly< what they would be - for them! 🤣
We should start a GoFundMe to buy them plane tickets. Luckily for them air travel in Russia is state-of-the art, just ask Yevgeny Prigozhin… and stay away from the windows!
LOL. Bon voyage, they will love it their, until they discover that Russians are mongrel mongols, (well one out of six are descendants of the Great Khan ) and that most Russians are Asiatics and Muslim.
I would say yes, but I don't think Canada and New Zealand would, not until they started rounding up and/or killing people as the fat crazy man has threatened, and I take him at his word. He means what he says and says what he means, but evidently the world or most of it is in denial or just don't care.
Myself I prefer Costa Rica and Panama, but even those countries are closing their doors to gringo's.
Spanish is a beautiful language and is easier to learn than English. My wife and I are gringo's but we use Spanish between us all of the time.
All a retiree needs is an income of $1,000 usd monthly.
HEALTH & HEALTH SYSTEM. Costa Rica is one of the few countries in Latin America that offers almost complete, universal coverage through the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) in the public sector and has coverage options through the private sector as well.. Although I can't vouch for it's quality of health care.
But don't expect to go to Panama or Costa Rica and find a job, they don't want competition from emigrees for scarce jobs.
I lived in Panama for three years and my 2nd wife was Panamanian, I love the country, the people, the culture, the food, but in the 1980's Citibank launched a massive propaganda campaign to get Panamanians addicted to credit cards, and once they did, the prices took off, and Panamanian prices are comparable to American, and they have a steep customs tariff on imported goods.
It's only revenue, legal, is tourism and the canal, and much of that goes to operation and maintenance.
This clip is of a British TV show from the time of Obama relating to the politics of the time. Tovarich МАГАт always liked to say "the world is laughing at us." Go to the 42 minute mark to begin a segment concerning what they were laughing at: https://youtu.be/2jhUwWxNl3A?si=R4hHDLnEsvR3Y-Ul BTW: This show is performed to a live audience, so the reaction is live.
(The rest of the clip is fun, too. For some it will be a stroll down memory lane and for others it will be interesting things - focusing on the absurdities of politics - they never knew about Britain.)
I understand your despair. We had to get Lula out of prison and vote for him, even though we had all the reasons not to, in order to get rid of Bolsonaro. Lula won by less than 2% of the valid votes (around 2 million) but we survived fascism in 2022. In less than one year, the courts ruled that Bolsonaro tried to temper with democracy and he is now forbidden to run for any public office ever again. Just wish you guys had done the same. Without Trump, Bolsonaro would never have existed. With Trump, civilization as we know it is over.
That's a problem. Trump is far more than a threat to American Democracy. At this critical time, and due to America's position of leadership, he is a threat to civilization.
As much as I loath drumpf, he is not the threat. The threat are the criminally stupid who support him. Those who know better, like Stefanik and Lindsey, and those who don't.
The threats are the corporations who corruptly fund them all, and the billionaires who have bought our Extreme Court. The individuals you mention are just their hired thugs.
"Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail." (Henry David Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience")
“Never be deceived that the rich will permit you to vote away their wealth.” (Lucy Parsons, IWW founding convention, 1905)
Exactly! I was very worried about what might happen to Brazil when you were faced with an insurrection similar to ours right after Lula beat Bolsonaro. The actions of your authorities were prompt & appropriate & quickly prevented a takeover by Bolsonaro partisans & relieved your nation of the scourge which has plagued us ever since because of the lack of prompt, decisive action by our own justice department. I've admired how Brazil handled it. You showed us the way, but our leadership remains blind.
By the way, what happened to Bolsonaro? Last I heard he took refuge in the fascist state inhabited & dominated by enemies of democracy like Trump, DeSantis, Rick Scott, Rubio, Gaetz & Luna, but I haven't heard about him in over a year, maybe close to two.
He was.... hoping to be invited by Donald to Mar-a-Lago, but this never happened. So he used the opportunity to sell some jewels he had received as State presents from Saudi Arabia. This is one of the many criminal charges he is facing right now.
Probably not 'much darker'. Give Trump credit for the revenge he hopes to inflict, using the full force of the American government, and over-ruling the Justice Dept.
It is worse than that Greg. Garland is a right winger, by his history and his actions since AG. He appointed Weiss, a Trump schedule F, attorny, to prosecute Hunter, but has given Ivanka and Jr a free pass,, he hasn't prosecuted Gaetz and leaves him there to screw up the country, he never prosecuted the real conspirators in Congress, and he only prosecuted the low life J6 soldiers, most of whom got a slap on the wrist, and he moved the Documents trial to Florida, when the crime actually occured in DC when Waltine Nauta loaded the documents on the airplane, and thenhe saw to it that a Trump appointeed magistrate judge would sit on the documents case, and hasn't removed her for incompetence.
And finally it took almost two years to appoint Jack Smith, and he did so only because of pressure from his peers (jurists, and respected lawyers)
That is because the media keeps us distracted with bright shiny objects, Todays bright shiny object is Taylor Swift. Things are pretty quiet in the world, not that the Ukraianians and Israelis and Palestinians would know it, and how about the poor suffering Sudanese, or Malians or Bangledeshians flooded out of their homes, or the millions of Indians of Indians living in slums are dying of disease.
Suffering is the fate of humanity, Every minute every second of every day, one or more people are dying of exposure, starvation, war, disease. and all of those people who whine and bitch about poor Gazans, are ignorant or oblivious to all of the human suffering on his planet, and not just human, but all living creatures. We raise living creatures to torture them, kill them and eat them.
Meanwhile the corporate or government media distracts us with bright shiny objects.
]Is there any intelligent life on earth" Why even spend money on SETI, the radio telescopes should be pointed downward not up to the sky.
i am an atheist for good cause, because if there was a god, that god would be a psychic vampire, and Earth is it's garden, were it feeds off the pain, fear and anguish of all life, most of which is being eaten alive,, and dying in the most horrible of pain and fear, meanwhile there is a species that is suppose to be top of the food chain, and when it isn't torturing, killing and eating other creatures is inflicting pain and suffering on others of it's kind, because they belong to a different tribe, or have something that the other tribe wants.
I have 84 trips around the sun, and with luck another 15, probably less, and it is a blessing. I've seen all there is to see, done almost all there is to do, or at least what I would like to do, if I haven't done it, I don't want it.
And I will shuffle off this mortal coil, to leave behind a species which delights in making others of their species or not, suffer.
Did you know that trees communicate with each other, through Mycelium or through scents, that plants feel pain, the world must be full of silent screams.
I had a pine tree whose roots were threatening my well, it was over a hundred years old. I had it cut down, and it's mate, about 50 ft away committed suicide, it died. Damnedest thing ever, no infestation of beetles or a disease, it was healthy and growing until we cut down it's "mate.
I feel that ignoring Trump and deliberately getting his name wrong when speaking with his supporters somehow helps to take the wind out of his sails. His entire political project is built on a self-righteousness mixed with vituperative malice. This requires an engagement with his rage which taking him less seriously helps to diffuse.
Don't confuse this with the kind of complacency that many Democrats exhibited into 2016, you have to take him seriously as a threat. But when speaking of him get Ronald's name wrong deliberately so that they know you know. Take every opportunity to portray him as the ludicrous, con-artist, incompetent he actually is but in a non-confrontational way ("I remember when someone said that...", "Oh yes that's because his biggest funders are working people who also happen to be wealthy billionaires", etc, etc).
Trump is a mass of contradiction held together by his BS personality cult. Take out the personality and the whole thing unravels.
So true. The media has been the mango madman's best friend and they continue to bombard the airwaves with his threats, deranged messages and his revenge-fueled quests if he's reelected. Just like his shrinking monetary resources, hit him where it can potentially hurt him the most and stop giving the exposure and attention he so desperately seeks. The airwaves need to focus on a positive message rather than a felonious, dishonest, autocratic shtick.
We need to play his game. Call him orange face, fat, old and senile…definitely needs to hire a stylist. Tell him his hair needs to be cut…Hasn’t been since the 70’s. Call him a rapist and a grifter. If he can criticize Haley’s dress and call women nasty then we can do the same. Disgusting pig wound be nice!
Legacy Media needs to “Straighten Up And Fly Right” as my mother used to tell me when I was a child if I was naughty!
Something Serious to ponder:
To put today’s Republican Party in the simplest terms, here’s their idea of how to make America great again! They are telling us who they are and they are telling all of us that they are 100% Party over Country! These are Trump’s commands going forward whether he’s elected or steals the next election! They have taken the pledge WWG1WGA!
1. Tear up the Constitution, to which they all took the oath to protect, and instead make their own laws designed around what their dictator wants.
2. The dictator will have all the power just like North Korea! No longer will there be a need for 3 branches of government or the FBI, CIA, etc…
3. They will Eradicate all their opponents to the dictator’s agenda! Elections would become a thing of the past!
4. Women would once again become subservient to men.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg! Is this a country you want to live in??
I know this sounds extreme but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. Trump or a Trump 2.0 would try to make it happen!
Abraham Lincoln, more or less, foresaw and warned us that it could happen. It sure looks a lot like what we are living through today!
Heather Cox Richardson’s Substack is a great historical recollection of Lincoln’s speech when he was only 28 years old.
Keith - I, too, was going to reference Heather Cox Richardson and her mention of how Lincoln’s Lyceum Address was basically a prediction of trump but I don’t know how to link it to here so thank you for doing so. Sadly we never seem to learn anything from our history.
I was so devastated, I formed a group of 4 women who were just as devastated as I was and were honest, and would always have my back and would meet every week to talk about our feelings and what we were going to do to get us through the next 4 years. That was in 2016, and we are still going strong, rarely miss a week and at times, video chat. During the pandemic, we would meet at each other's outside patio. 9 years. It was a God-send. You see, we are all Catholics, went to the same school for 12 years, went to the same church, parties, picnics, graduations, birthday parties and so did our friends who voted for trump and a lot of them lashed out at people like the 4 of us. Double whammy! As a group of Catholics/friends, we would meet 3 times a year and a special meeting at Christmas. Most of that ended.
My best friend asked me a question about what trump said and before I could answer, her husband was screaming at me, red in his face, 2 inches away from me and I looked at my best friend wondering what was going on and she was "smirking" along with another childhood Catholic friend and their families at our Christmas gathering. I was confused, shocked. I got up and left, never to talk to them again. A lot of us lost alot in 2016. Hell, I have family members who support trump. My brother is a transgender who backs trump. Çan't even talk to him. Thank God he doesn't vote.
I throw money at Democrats who I think can win and of course Biden-Harris. I talk about all the good Biden has done. My next door neighbor who is a devout Catholic, anti abortion, is voting for Biden for the 2nd time due to me taking the time to talk to her.
Sorry for me literally "throwing-up" this a.m. I'm usually upbeat but this morning brought back the SHOCK of 2016 and the fact that trump and his party are still here even though every one of them took the oath of the Constitution. The criminal, the rapist, the racist and wannabe dictator. Wondering when my friends and people will wake up. I think I see a split in voters.
Thank you, my long time partner has really changed since Trump. It has infected every part of my social and personal space. I even went back and got the reports from 2016 to show him how the Republicans allowed putin by allowing Trump to run that party. But, that's the thing, Trump and fox turned all against any source other than the party narrative. I am exhausted. I am 44, found 2 kids of breast cancer during pandemic, then my stepmother died of covid, then my exmarine, former psychiatrist father with Parkinsons needed help. Thank goodness my dad didn't fall for it. But I am exhausted. I want to door knock, but won't dare, too many gun owning far right religious groups around me. But reading this has alleviated some of the weariness. Thank you.
I just saw this reply again. Forgive me. I am scared to leave my dad with no one. I am not scared to die for something good. I feel a coward with Navalny willing to suffer and die just to show his people what real bravery looks like. The Ukrainian people dying every day for the idea of a more perfect union, when they are dying for what I have, I complain about doorknocking being dangerous. Forgive me. They are flooding the field with sh*t, so there is so much that it feels futile to put a hand out.
Sorry that happened to you, Kathryn, it had to be horrifying. Your ex-best friend's husband sounds like a lunatic, and the others acted like high schoolers playing some terrible prank. I hope this group of 4 you formed is still getting together and you're getting support.
The group of 4 are also my childhood friends and they went through most of the same things I did. We talk about the truth, who to vote for, who to donate to, and personal things. We are fine and help each other. Thanks everyone for caring. Just had a meltdown this morning. Lol same as everyone has. Lol
Thank you for your service. I mean service. This is so much like a war; a war for hearts & minds.
I’m so sorry you have lost people you care about to the Melon Felon. People like you are indispensable to the preservation American democracy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! ❤️
Right you are. Truth be told, I must take breaks from politics. Otherwise, I lie in bed thinking about how screwed we are and how little we can do about it.
I have never missed an election in my life and that won’t change. I keep reminding myself that China & Russia will overwhelm us with disinformation. The disinformation campaign is already in full swing. They will divide, exhaust, demoralize and confuse. With help from the Melon Felon, they will saturate the left with chaos., Steve Bannon’s specialty. What big lie will they pull out of the hat in October?
If Putin doesn’t get Trump back in the WH his ambitions of glory and empire are finished. History tells us that Putin will not stop at Ukraine. The future of Eastern Europe may be riding on our shoulders. What happens in America doesn’t stay in America, as we learned from the Great Depression. This time, Trump will finish the job destroying NATO. Putin’a counting on him.
Everyone it seems is obsessed with Trump having initiated the Jan 6th insurrection, for which he has yet to be imprisoned. Which highlights just how broken the Judicial system is. But even prior to Jan 6th, he was demonstrably guilty of numerous crimes : Fraud, Slander, Libel, Tax Evasion, Rape, etc. If served consecutively, he would be imprisoned for several lifetimes. The fact that he hasn't been tried, convicted, and _already_ serving ANY time in prison does pretty clearly show that some people ARE above the Law.
The scary thing to me is that it is now safer to assume that most of "Our" legislators (and several SCOTUS justices as well) are "on the take" from Wealthy donors -- and therefore Guilty of **something**, if not guilty of much worse -- than are NOT "on the take." And as long as they are in office, the graft WILL continue to flow.
🤞🏾 Hopefully, hopefully they aren’t as charismatic. I don’t get it either. Many people were enthralled by Hitler, too. Some or them were Jews!
As a little kid, i stayed with a neighbor who watched me when my mother went to the store. She would do her housework and play old LP’s in German. (She had come to the US after the war.) The LP’s were of Hitler screaming and yelling. Thankfully I didn’t understand a word of German. I was too young to understand who Hitler was, although I had a lot of little friends who were Jewish. All I know was they spoke of Hitler in hushed tones. All these years later I realize it was fear. They were terrified to even mention his name.
What sickens me the most is that Germany went from being a progressive, artsy, well respected, very liberal country and in just three years they were already murdering disabled kids and elderly adults. Once the population was desensitized to that, they were rounding up Jews and stealing their property. These were lifelong friends, some of whom had intermarried so the families were blended. Three years!!!
The Heritage Foundation already has the blueprint to cement authoritarianism to replace democracy. It would only take a year, perhaps?
Despair and cynicism create voter apathy and fuel fascism.
It's been 8 years
I joined Indivisible in 2017. I am not filled with despair nor am I cynical but I'm tired Professor. That's my biggest problem. Exhausten which I know also fuels fascism.
My advice to all the exhausted people is to not feel guilty if you cannot commit to being politically active.
Every thing you do no matter how big or small is important. Just voting itself as an individual is important.
And local elections as well as elections in your own state for Congress and the Senate are just as important as the Presidency.
Thank you. I had to take a break once Biden took office. I still send occasional emails or call my rep and some senators, but had to learn to set the anxiety aside. It’s time to gear up again.
Even now I can't believe I'm writing the words "trump" and President in the same sentence.
The burnout is very real and part of how fascism succeeds. It's always how trump has operated
Exhausting the legal system by delay tactics and exhausting the people who try to hold him accountable as well as mob tactics of threats and intimidation.
When President Biden won I told my son that we have been saved. I thought trump would be held accountable much faster than he has been and criminally not just civically
It's okay to just be one citizen that votes
You don't have to carry the weight of the country on your shoulders if you can't do it. I have found that activism has many forms besides a full unpaid job.
I treat everyone I meet with dignity and kindness for example. That too is activism.
So you know how proactive they are,all over the country.Ezra Klein is brilliant and down to earth.My friend and I wrote postcards for the midterms and hope to do it again.
A useful project to do is to Write to the American Psychiatric Association and demand they drop their defaming blacklist of peer-agreed psychiatric doctors who’s diagnosis of Donald John Trump is as frightening as any in history of a nation destroyed by impostors to statesmanship.
The American Psychiatric Association has taken millions in corporate largesse, and then silenced their own psychiatric community which knows the dire pathological consequences for a population, exhausted of resources and succumbing to a pathological personality with a penchant to enjoy violence.
Do you ask why a planet is falling into violence and fascism’s hateful fuel of destruction? Look no farther than the top position in what, until the 45th President, was the most admired and powerful office in the world.
Communities and countries have become infested by the admiring sociopathic imitators of “power” displayed in antics of an entitled punk hoodlum on a world stage.
Entire highway systems suffer the carnage of automobile drivers emboldened by lawless acts of the Chief Executive and display their “freedom” and “power” careening at insane speeds and threading the needle of traffic lanes.
What, you didn’t notice the madness of American drivers once the Chief Executive steered the nation as the madman behind Resolute desk?
The Republican appointed & corporate captured Supreme Court, the corporate captured Congress, and the corporate/military Siamese twins of Pentagon and Congress sewn to the National budget which is grafted to neoconservative war-addicted economy, cannot stop the fate descending on America in Donald John Trump.
“We the People” must show the madness and diseased convictions of the social pathology.
An acumen for producing mass hysteria is in the pathology for the “strong man” idolatry, hysteria is mistaken for “power”.
The world is watching, but it watches a diseased personality lead the exhausted, the depleted, the bankrupt, the hopeless to the cliff, where they will jump off for their master, and the corporations will pick up the nation’s capital wealth left by destructive cadres of useful idiots who do the dirty work of armies without cost to the corporate rulers.
They burn down their Democracy and their freedom for a short blaze of Orange madness, and will then be tossed. Such is the fate of all pawns who serve devotion to the abnormal needs of a mentally psychotic leadership.
If you conduct a web search of the book “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” you may see a link to a Psychology Today article and statement of review of the seminal book - but you cannot access it on any search engine - it is FORBIDDEN by the masters of madness at the APA and their benefactors within corporate captured American government.
What RR has written is good. But it is not enough. We should also attack tRump the way that the Enlightenment attacked Bourbon absolutism in France. The Enlightenment--best embodied by Voltaire and Diderot--attacked the Bourbons with wit and logic. It is not enough to simply be outraged and to organize. Diderot edited the Encyclopedie, now considered a forerunner of the French Revolution. As for Voltaire, his main weapons were logic and humor. Using these, he destroyed the moral and popular foundations of the French monarchy. Humor--gentle, or vicious as in satire--is a necessary tool in our fight against tRump. So is absurdity. It is totally absurd that "born again" Christians would support a man whose whole life is un-Christian. We need to use these weapons. For example, a play about the life of tRump, detailing his orgies and lies, could be very effective in exposing exactly what the Republicans are now supporting. Personally, I find it sad but very revealing that Republicans would support a convicted rapist over a very capable ex-Governor of South Carolina who happens to be female.
I agree with everything you point out David. I think we underestimate the power of humor and satire, especially in enlightening young people. It’s wonderful to see that idealism, but we need to look at the bigger picture. I am so happy to learn that Jon Stewart is returning to the late show. Comedians like Wanda Sykes and Stephan Colbert are so insightful and so quick to point out the absurdity and hypocrisy without being self righteous. I like your idea about a play too! “The Marriage of Figaro” was cutting edge and banned in France. Mozart’s opera based on the play was very controversial. Art and humor are important weapons! We need to be strategic!
Lib-Talk.com is a collection of pithy responses made for for social media that correct Maga lies with fact and reason. It is less about attacking Trump, anyone can do that, and more about correcting the lies about Biden and Democrats. It is also about Biden's accomplishments , something the Democrats and news outlets seem unable to talk about.
Comedians on TV and Internet have been going at trump and cronies for years. Jon Stewart is rejoining The Daily Show. Lincoln Project ads use scathing humor.
Democrats Abroad is a vitally useful group for American expats around the world. An official arm of the Democratic Party, it informs and advises American citizens of their right to vote in US elections and assists in the sometimes challenging process. There are millions of us who are eligible, and we can make a difference! https://www.democratsabroad.org. VOTE for sure, volunteer on get out the vote efforts if you can! Many countries have their own committtees within the organisation.
Thank you for sharing this Ellen. I was living in Switzerland in the late 70’s early 80’s and remember voting (against Ronald Reagan - who we thought was the worst most evil politician ever!). I remember how helpless we felt sending our ballots off and wondering if they were even counted. I will share this with the people I know who are living abroad. It must be easier today! We need their votes to be counted too!
Yes, I feel outrage and I feel anger at our judicial system that is so terribly slow. I'm outraged that a person can steal something from a store and immediately go to jail, but lawmakers and an ex president can try to overthrow the government and are still walking around freely and continuing their lies to rile up the mob. This just shows everyone how messed up our justice system is.
Our judicial system coddles white collar criminals. Even IF they are found guilty of serious crimes they almost never are incarcerated. Mostly they are given a paltry fine.
Consider the sweetheart deal that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were given after destroying many young girl’s lives.
Don’t expect any different with Trump. When you see how indigent people are dealt with, you begin to understand the disparity between rich vs. poor and/or not white. There is no comparison to a defendant like Donald Trump. If my poor clients pisses off a judge, off to lockup they go.
Knowing the courts as intimately as I do, I have no faith in the prospect of Trump ever facing consequences. (I will believe it when I see it.) Even with a guilty verdict he will tie it up in appeals for years. I won’t live long enough.
Trump probably won't live long enough to see an end to the process either. Hopefully he will at least be stressed with it all and not be elected in November. I really think he has dementia like his father did.
I agree, Margaret. Reagan also had it. His was sufficiently advanced that he couldn’t be impeached over Iran Contra. He was non compos mentis and couldn’t meet the legal requirements to assist with his legal defense. But no one thought to invoke the 23rd Amendment! We were in the capable hands of Dan Quayle. I don’t know which was worse!
It makes me crazy knowing what the GOP has gotten away with over the years. If the Democrats were half as ruthless as the Republicans, we might be living in a very different country, huh?
Humor. Will Rogers once said, “I’m not a member of any organized political party - I’m a Democrat!” Humor can be an effective communications tool. But there are two kinds. The self-deprecating kind that Will Rogers used engages people and lowers their defenses; pointing out a weakness or flaw ironically makes you look strong. But there is a mean kind of humor too like Obama used on Trump at the 2016 WH Correspondents Dinner. This can anger people. I think we should use humor with our Republican friends, but not the mean kind. Will Rogers might have said, “Biden might not be your favorite choice for President but at least you’ll still have your country when it’s over!”
@Daniel. Honestly, I don't know. I guess they just don't believe it. Willful disbelief I'm sure. But this is what gives my hope, almost confidence, about winning the general election. Only the diehard cult members are going to overlooks this guy's multiple crimes and moral abuses. At least half the Republican coalition will stay home, vote third party or even vote Biden. I'm feeling like we will make it.
The r real danger to reelection is Biden’s complicity in the Palestinian Genocide (there is even a court case in progress to this effect). Many are planning to sit out because of the moral conundrum this presents.
People believe that not voting for Biden will teach the Democratic Party to keep campaign promises and lean further left, but there will be no way to save the Republic if Fascism is allowed back into the White House.
Biden has failed morally and committed political suicide to boot with many young voters.
Sorry - but from a UK perspective I think that Biden is doing as much as he can to calm the Middle East down during a very fraught time. The problem goes back to Trump and the Republicans binning any negotiations with Iran 🇮🇷 after Obama had been making considerable progress. Trump also inflamed the situation by moving the US 🇺🇸 embassy to Jerusalem and making love to his fellow criminal Net.
From a dual US-Canadian perspective I don't think Biden is doing as much as he can to calm the Middle East down during a very fraught time--shipping weapons to Israel is not particularly calming.
Both Hamas and Netanyahu & Co are in the wrong and refusing to acknowledge that and use the unique leverage the POTUS on both parties to bring about a ceasefire, the release of the hostages, and the two-state solution Israeli and Palestinian agreed to thirty years ago is costing Biden votes and the US international respect.
If he used his full powers and brought peace to the Middle East, Biden would undoubtedly win this year's election, but, if he doesn't, he's handing the US government to Fascism and, quite likely, helping a full-scale war to develop in the Middle East.
Wow, Jim, its nice to hear someone who has been paying close attention for a long while.
Also, right-wing American evangelicals have spent $hundreds of milllions$ courting favour with the right-wing arm of Israel, especially Natenyahu. Contrary to popular opinion, right-wing American evangelicals have more influence with Natanyahu than all American Jews put together. If you listen to Republicans talk about Israel, they are backing evangelical's ambitions for Israel.
Noted. Now how do you/we get the those folks to vote and not throw their vote away for their lofty principles? The system has run amuck, agreed. Biden has not handled the Middle East problems well. I am in agreement with many friends and family that are fed up with the party and Biden in general. However, the alternative is dangerous to say the least. I’m all for independents, third party and real choices for candidates but it’s about 3 years too late for them now. Significant changes must come solidly from local and state levels, now, for our future elections. We don’t need those candidates like Phillips and Williamson on the ballots for this year. We need - especially Phillips to get behind the current administration, show some true leadership-go after the DNC, continue to call out the MAGAs and their leaders, get the youth involved in the process of getting the younger voters to actually care and vote. Far too much is riding on this. More importantly we need to really pay attention to Harris and whoever trump picks for his running mate, one of those is very likely to inherit the office. We must elect leaders willing to work towards ending the electoral college and Citizens United. Until those are gone I seriously doubt that our votes really matter, which brings me back to my point-this year is just too late to enact any real reforms in the election system. If trump is ‘elected’ reforms and elections will be moot. It will take an entire generation to correct it. For those of us considering throwing our vote to an alternative-save it, that time is coming and that is of the essence to get that going now for 2028. This year are we going to elect Harris (essentially) or whatever MAGA wins trump’s attention- the one at shows him the most adoration and will promote anything and everything trump. The wise professor’s guidance is spot on.
You think opposing genocide is a "lofty principle"? This is why I feel like an alien in this country. What's happening in Gaza is happening to real people. It's not "the Middle East problem." It's children dying daily, and it's about to be hundreds of thousands of children and adults starving to death. Not only has Biden done nothing substantive to stop it, he's helped Israel do it. But I'm sorry if people's pesky moral values are getting in the way of the preferred election results.
My daughter was leaning this way. I explained to her that my compassion and empathy go out to the Palestine people, what is happening to them is uncalled for. I have to step back though and one can call it being selfish, but in November I have to think of our country. Of what happens if Trump gets back in office. What will he do to help the Palestine people or Ukraine for that matter.
Ask what he did to help the Kurds who were our allies. Complete betrayal. Trump doe snot like Muslims. I think the folks wanting to support the Palestinians forget his Muslim ban. Biden might not have policies they like, but Trump would support a scorched Earth policy by Israel.
Definitely not sitting this election out. I voted in every election since I became a citizen. Many of my fellow Democrats have ‘unfriended’ Trump supporters on social media. Not me! I want to understand how they think. They are my fellow Catholics albeit misguided IMHO. Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer.
I’ll admit that, as a POC, I’m terrified about another term of Drumpf. His minions have set about dismantling DE&I initiatives and even private employers have begun to feel pressured to comply.
These are dreadful times, but we cannot abandon our hope for change.
Thank you, Professor Reich, for acknowledging every single thing I have been feeling!! I have felt outrage because I felt hopeless that any thing I did would make any difference. My despair was keeping me awake and worried. I applied for a passport to get out of America! My cynicism caused me to snap and snarl at my family and friends. I felt I was on a roller coaster!! I did stop scrolling and engaging in political conversations and felt much better, but I know I have to do something. Your article was exactly what I needed to bring everything into focus. There are plenty of things I can do to help President Biden win and I have already begun to fight the good fight!! Thank you, too, for the list of organizations! That was most helpful. I am through letting the little orange man occupy space in my brain! I will work very hard to get people to vote and I will repeat President Biden's accomplishments like a mantra!! Goodbye trump, hello America!!
Peggy Freeman, I am so sorry you have been so overwhelmed with these terribly strong emotions and thoughts. I am glad you aired them, so you can breathe. It is going to be alright because we have each other to unite with and for support. And when it comes to wise action, every action no matter how small or how large is great because all of it adds to the momentum for unity and more wise action. Be well, my friend. Know it will be alright.
Thank you, M Tree! I feel much better now than I did. You are right. We are in this fight together and I do appreciate the support I feel from the people on here. My actions are not large but when you put all of our little actions together, it becomes huge! I am all for unity, God knows we need it now! Thank you again for your kind words!
Peggy Freeman, you're welcome. Be well.
Peggy, sounds like your declaration of independence :)
Raffey, I suppose it is my declaration of independence!! Now to get moving and hopefully begin to make a difference!
STOP VOTING FOR ZOMBIE SNAKES ...
OK VOTE...
But there is NO box to tick in a voting booth that says
"We the people (respectfully submit) - that the services of either hinged or unhinged zombie snakes is no longer required
Spoiler alert the constitution was rigged by aged slave owning frat-boys for a world wide mercantile republic propped up by millions of transported slaves.
It's ALL a con.
Boooooooo
Booooo to hinged and unhinged zombie snakes ...
Down with the ZOMBIE SNAKES !
... like the Skari Snake found in Arizona.
????????"?
well for one thing - phone bank people! That's the hard work. It's easy to donate money and let someone else do the canvas and phones - why aren't you working the phones? The internet makes it easy. I can do 25 calls in an hour - what about you?
Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb. To some, these names are meaningless, to others, these are the names of three counties in Southeastern lower Michigan that can swing the entire state depending on the whims of the people that inhabit this area. The largest concentration of Muslims outside of the Middle East live in Dearborn Michigan which is in Wayne County. With the mess in the Middle East, voters in Michigan can be sabotaged by a group of immigrants who have settled in the state but still carry allegiance to the people of Palestine, and elsewhere in that area. The group can't see the importance of supporting President Biden over Trump. This is disturbing because if Biden doesn't win Trump will pose a greater threat to these people than they could ever imagine. The treatment of the people in Gaza by the IDF and Hamas has been the regrettable result of the war between these two groups. Innocent civilians caught between opposing forces is the sad result of wars everywhere. President Biden doesn't support the carnage in the Middle East, which seems to be growing by the day. As our commander and chief, he supports the best wishes of the Israeli people as a whole, not the efforts put forth by Netanyahu. If the Muslims in Michigan refuse to see Biden's predicament it's every possible they could represent a force that could swing the state of Michigan in favor of Trump. Blindness, of one degree or another, seems to be rampant in our voting community. People who support Trump should be given long white canes with a red tip at the end. This country has but one path to a progressive future and that is by giving support to President Biden. To the people of Dearborn, it's time to rethink their stance on what is happening over there when we have our own problems erupting over here. Without Biden in the White House neither group will find peace in the future. No matter what position Netanyahu carries out in the Middle East, it doesn't reflect the wishes of this country. Biden can't make Netanyahu do anything other than what he wishes. The war over there will have to find its own end, and we need to stay out of it.
How do we stay out of it when we are financing it? We are also supplying war material contrary to our laws.
Maybe we should support HAMAS, Hezbollah and Iran. Would that satisfy you, because if we do nothing, then that is what we are doing.
By the same token, the Republican party is doing the bidding of Putin, and as such are Putin's allies.
Doug--It's not a question of finance, Israel would do exactly as they currently are regardless of what this country does. Remove our support and the end results would be the same. We
don't control Netanyahu.
End result may be the same but it would allow US to distance itself from Netanyahu's madness and demonstrate we don't support his actions.
Susanne--That is exactly what Biden is doing, we don't support the carnage seen over there as a direct result of Israel's actions. Diplomacy is not always obvious. but I can assure you our President has expresses his concern over the safety of the people living in Gaza. We aren't always privileged to the conversations that take place between world leaders.
Suzanne, this troubling situation with Israel and Hamas shows us just how complicated things in the Middle East have been for centuries. It seems first of all, a 2-state solution is essential before addressing anything else. Then Israel will have to decide what kind of country it wants to be. Right now, it is becoming exactly what the Jewish people of the past hated and wanted to escape and it is using practices that were used on them, against the Palestinian people, a bit at a time until they now, essentially have ghettos that are somewhat larger than most in Europe of the past, but are ghettos nonetheless. That should be acceptable to no Jewish person anywhere, no Christian person either. Trump alas and his handlers have no concept of what is happening anywhere in the world let alone in one of the most complex areas like Israel/Gaza. How anyone who cares about the Israel/Gaza conflict could/would vote for Trump is incomprehensible.
How about the madness of JAMAS, Iran and it's surrogates.? Suzanne
How do they continue without our supplying bombs. Why did the U S State Department approve two emergency shipments of arms to Israel without the approval of Congress. Why does Biden request 14.3 billion dollars of additional to Israel. They need it to continue doing what they are doing. I disagree with you.
Doug-- That is your right. In a divorce, do the kids know and understand all the issues their parents are fighting over, or do they just see the obvious confrontations? I don't know everything that is happening between the countries involved.
Doug Allam, we give a few percentages of our budget to foreign countries. It's a good investment. We've given 3.4 billion to Afghanistan during the war, now it's 816 million. We have given over 2 billion to Egypt, now it's over 1 billion, We have given 1.9 billion to Jordan, now it's over a billion and we have given 3.1 billion to Israel and so far it's nothing because of rethuglican intransigence. You are making a false statement. Give me your evidence for biden requesting 14.3 billion to Israel.
Donald: the Hell we don't! "The power to destroy something is the power to control it." (Frank Herbert, "Dune")
Our money is propping up a war effort pushed by Putinyahu in a tRumpian effort to stay out of jail.
Greg--This country has given Israel almost $260 billion in aid in recent years. However, this country's desires for peace over there will soon be replaced by a feeling of indecision. We don't support the civilian deaths occurring in Gaza by any means and for our people not to see that is pure ignorance. Netanyahu will act as he sees fit regardless of our "Past" support. But watch to see if our support doesn't begin to wane as the efforts of the IDF continue to progress in the wrong direction. Israel is sitting on a huge natural oil deposit,
broaden your vision Greg. Support for Israel has been going on since 1948, because Israel is an unsinkable air craft carrier in the mid east, and the mid east pumps oil, which keeps civilization rolling on, fact is that you would not be posting your stuff here., much less earning a living, which enables you to post your haughty opinions and feed yourself, your family were it not for oil.
Like it or not. oil is a vital resource, that keeps YOU alive and prosperous enough to afford a cell phone, computer and ISP.
And the Islamic Tyrants of the mid east, virtually control the worlds supply, and could make life miserable, and have done so in the past with reducing supply and embargos.
The only thing in the past that has deterred these tyrants is the threat from the unsinkable aircraft carrrier called Israel.
The curse of oil is that the world is addicted tot it, that an coal, and it's continued and accelerated use, will spell the end of mammalian life, and that will be a blessing, because humanity is a parasitic and cannibalistic species., that has done what most species, except rodents, do and that is to befoul their own habitat and be the cause of their own extinction, except rodents can live, thrive and reproduce amidst their own waste, but humans can't.
I believe we can control him. The IDF is Only powerful because of us.
Amen! And now Nancy Pelosi wants people INVESTIGATED BY THE FBI WHO ARE DEMONSTRATING AND PROTESTING FOR A CEASE- FIRE! SHE THINKS PUTIN IS PUTTING THEM UP TO IT! WOW! TALK ABOUT DEMENTIA! TIME TO RETIRE, NANCY, TIME TO RETIRE!
Thanks Donald, you eloquently voiced my concern. There are groups that suffer from myopia, and in turn are their own worst enemies. Peeved at Democrats because they haven't got everything that they wanted, they threaten to either sit out the election of vote for a third party, like Cornell West.
They are going to flip the bird to the Democratic Party and Biden, they sure are, that will show them, the idiots, the fools, because doing so will elect Trump and the neo fascists and that will be the end of them, well at least they had the satisfaction of flipping Biden and Dems the bird, as they are shunted onto cattle cars.
And they demand respect. No effin way, they earn nothing but disrespect and disgust.
Y
I will vote for the Democratic candidate. I agree that we can't support 3rd parties this time around. But in a perfect world, I'd vote for Cornel West, the most progressive candidate in the race. Ed Phillips is a shill for Biden.
Greg I have mixed feelings on Cornell, I've listened to him many times, and I agree with the gist of his profound pronouncements, but that is the problem.
Cornell exerts great effort to sound loquacious, profound and educated, and he talks over the host. Talking over is a right wing tactic, because when a person dominates the conversation, they keep it steered in their direction, and thus do not have to answer any questions.
But his use of "big words" and his stream of consciousness speech, is a tactic to compensate for what is an inferiority complex.
This is difficult to say, without realizing I am going to receive defensive attacks, but remember when Obama appeared on the public scene, and so many in the media and politics were astonished at how eloquent he was? The racist stereotype of blacks is blackish ghetto speak.
Cornell over compensates, and thus talks over the heads of even the educated, and that is not a sign of a savy person, or even an educated person.
I was a military training instructor and had to write lesson plans, and was taught not to write or speak anything greater than the level of an 8th grader, hat was in 1962, today it would be a 3rd or 5th grader, depending on audience.
That is common sense. Cornell West need to prove himself, shows his lack of common sense, that and the fact that he has no experience in governing, and absolutely no connections or knowledge of beltway politics and culture.
He would not be effective, neither would Maryanne Williamson, and as such they would be at the mercy of power player insiders, just as Obama, who was swooped down on like a vulture by Larry Summers and Rahm Emanuel.
Nothing gets done in D.C. without Congress. Unless you are dicktator like Trump and have your own legion of Brownshirts.
Yes, Lee, you’re right. I remember listening a few years ago to a discussion broadcast on the radio show “Democracy Now” that featured several University professors discussing Marxist theory. None of it made any sense to me: it’s easy for academics to get caught up on abstractions and to ignore everyday reality. Workers don’t need “historical determinism;” they need decent working conditions, human hours of work, and a living wage — not a theory of history.
Very astute analysis, Lee.
Lee--The big picture would seem to be waiting for the Oscars. Because they surely can't see it today.
And today the mayor of Dearborn and other officials made public statements that, for example, tell Biden he is not welcome/should not come to Dearborn, as he apparently had planned to do, because they do not want him there, will not support him, etc. etc. Have those leaders of a very large Muslim population in Dearborn/area forgotten that the "man" they are helping advance toward re-election (tRump) had a ban on Muslim immigration when he was in office??!! An outright ban based on religion, on THEIR religion?!! This goes way beyond their opposition to Biden's support for Israel; this is outright support for tRump - and that is outrageous!
Let's address the elephant in the room. Black history tells us that a majority of them are no friends of Israel or Jews. They support the Palestinians and their history shows a lack of appreciation for Jews and their efforts to support them. Together with Muslims and Blacks who even converted to Islam, they make up a formidable coalition against Jews. It's not at all surprising that Joe Biden is not welcome in Dearborn, Michigan.
South Africa is made up of a 76% black population. The recent IJC decision accusing Israel of genocide which gave South Africa a leg up and a diplomatic win, as they see themselves as the world champion of human rights. Right now, there is a fight going on between the US, China and Russia for their minerals. In this regard the IJC decision was a tremendous boon to South Africa's standing for human rights. Blacks in this country going back to Mandela have been opposed to Israel in this country and in South Africa. They see Jews as their oppressors, however, their slave masters in the South get hardly a notice in the media or press. Examples of this abound. Ali Velshi and Ayman Mohyeldin as well as Chris Hayes never miss a chance to defend the Palestinian cause. The often join the both sideism choir. "They have a right to defend themselves with two hands tied behind their back. It's only recently that Reverend Al Sharpton has changed his tune, and we hear less of the strident Jessie Jackson's opposition to Israel and Jews, despite the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, all civil rights activists who were murdered because of their defense of black human rights. Two out of 3 of them were Jews, but the black press and MSM are silent on the subject. People need to connect the dots.
Annie--It's a sickness--------
I wrote postcards for Indivisible during the midterms.They are very proactive all over.Maybe you could contact them and see what they have going in Michigan.It's worth a try!
Biden should visit those counties!!
Barbara--I thought he just visited Netanyahu, and Zelenskyy not that long ago.
I find your comments very offensive. You denounce Arab Americans for their understandable outrage and despair over the ongoing slaughter in Gaza. Would you also denounce Jewish Americans who support Israel and vote accordingly?
And I find it baffling that you would say that Biden has no influence over Netanyahu. He could certainly end funding, the supply of weapons, and diplomatic cover in the UN.
Lyn--Back up. I never said anything against Arab Americans! I do find an objection to how they view what is happening in the Middle East. Biden can voice his opinion on the issues to Netanyahu, but the man has a mind of his own. After seeing the carnage Hamas rendered on 10/7 Netanyahu had little choice but to retaliate. Biden would have agreed as would I, the rub comes into play when the world witnessed the severity of the strikes the Israeli military was throwing at the Palestinian people in Gaza. There is nothing offensive surrounding what we all said concerning how we viewed the results. The destruction was plain as black and white. I feel your feelings about the subject have caused you to find fault with anyone willing to discuss the subject. I hold no ill will against my Arab neighbors, I just find an objection with them being so near sighted they can't see the detriment in not supporting President Biden in the 2024 election. If Trump gets in the people of the Middle East that live in this country will suffer needlessly. I realize Biden needs to curtail military support to Netanyahu as his mission is in direct opposition to what we view as being humane. The Arab American must tighten their bootstraps and consider the negatives found in their decision not to support Joe. That position I find stupid.
Lynn--This country is at a tipping point, if Trump gets back in, what we have in this country will be lost to an anti-Arab, anti-Jewish, anti-Black, President that is still in love with the likes of Adolf Hitler. Biden and the free people of this country need The Arabian people in Dearborn Michigan to look past issues that Biden has no control over and find direction in the good people who need your understanding not your disapproval.
The Middle East--
Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>
10:39 AM (1 minute ago)
Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>
10:26 AM (3 minutes ago)
Lynn-. I live adjacent to the largest Arab population outside of the Middle East. These are a peaceful, good people who left their ancestral homes in an attempt to find a better place to live and raise their families. The Arab communities in my state are a vital element in any election process, and I value their decisions related to the candidates on the ticket. However, this group's condemnation of President Biden over the mess that Netanyahu is orchestrating in Gaza leaves me wondering what are they thinking. Donald Trump is every bit as bad to this country as Netanyahu is to Palestine and its people. The Arab population that lives within our borders has to separate themselves from what they see over there and concentrate on what they need to support over here, in an effort to help save a country from a mad man. I feel their pain but they are here not there, and President Biden needs their votes in the next election. Another solution would be for "President Trump" to ask them very politely to move back to where they came from. Don't think for a minute he hasn't thought of a nice way to address the issue. Trump doesn't want any Arads, Jews, or Mexicans in this country. They violate his ethnic code of genetic excelience. Mr. Trump even holds our own people of color in a negative light. To him, if you're not white you're not right. President Biden and this country needs your support to defeat Trump. For anyone to hold onto the position that President Biden is supporting Netanyahu needs to ask themselves this question, "Why is Washington sending a steady stream of diplomats to Israel, it isn't to invite Netanyahu to lunch." Biden is disgusted by what he sees happening to the innocent people of Gaza, we all are.
Donald, how is it a war between Hamas and Israel? Maybe we consider every women and child along with all men as members of Hamas. When we watch live feed of what is going on in Gaza and West Bank it is impossible to feel that the war is between Hamas and IDF as IDF has murdered over 26,000 mostly women and children in Gaza alone.
Wizarat--The terminology isn't mine; I was repeating what the leaders over there consider it to be.
It is TONS more than Regrettable. And the US can stop it but won’t.
Carol--I don't like what you said but I agree with it.
Donald, Wow, that was a true note to all people who have special interests. Donald Trump will help none of them unless those interests involve hurting others for Trump's gain. It can be really hard to get that across to angry people. Anger is an emotion that can keep folks from noticing what is really going on. Also, I am not generally insulted, but implying that those Trump voters are the white cane type of blind people is rather insulting to those of us who actually depend on those white canes with the red tip (to help us get around and sighted people notice that we are around and vulnerable to their actions). Maybe a more appropriate analogy might be that Trump voters are wearing visors with only Trump's picture with his mouth running the same hatreds over and over. Maybe if they took the visors off, they could be acquainted with the truth.
Ruth--Agreed, but it still wouldn't force them to open their eyes.
Just a few “ swing “ states will decide the election. And - inside those states - it may
rest on just a couple counties. Hope your
concern in Michigan doesn’t materialize.
Hard to fathom the blind leading the blind.
Paul--Trump has been doing that to the MAGA goons from the beginning.
This is a question of ignorance, but why does the US support Israel? Is there some kind of agreement that causes us to protect and support them like a baby sister? Is it purely religious? Is it their location in the Middle East?
Yes Midwest. I think that you knew the answer. Israel is an unsinkable, well armed, well trained, well supplied land locked aircraft carrier and submarined with it's own supply of nuclear missiles.
I rather suspect that Israel would, rather than be beheaded by Islamists, rsort to the nuclear option. I would, if I was going to be taken out by those that want me dead and gone, I would take as many of them with me as I could.
Midwest--There is a huge difference between Israel and its people. We as a country support the latter.
Not only do you have the tri-county area in Detroit there is also the western side of the state, the UP & the MI Militia who support Trump.
Beth--The Michigan militia--is nothing more than a group of lost individuals trying to find relevance in an existence where they see no future. Too small to make a difference. Anyone who supports Trump. will have to take a back seat to reality.
Remember, we're not at war in the Middle East: it's only a Special Military Operation.
It is not even that, you sound like Putin. Any particular reason for that Greg?
Greg--I love your perspective., sadly time will change it.
I just turned 72 so IDK how much time I have to change my perspective. It hasn't changed much since I voted for Nader in 2000. I was a 3rd-party candidate once myself.
Greg--Trump's path back into the White House is paved by the existence of a third party. Any vote not for Joe is a vote for Trump.
Sounds like you still are Greg. I wonder how President Trump 47, will treat you.
Greg--We as observers, are like crows sitting on a fence, we see what is going on but the complexities surrounding the conflict over there are hidden from us. It is good to voice our opinions, but hesitation should be given in our weak attempts at finding a solution to a situation we don't understand. There has been a constant flow of government officials from this country heading over there, not give advice as to how to extract more civilian lives, they are over there in an effort to find a peaceful solution to a conflict that has no real answer.
Janet, do you have success in swaying people with 25 calls in an hour or do you just remind Democrats to vote? I’m not familiar with doing phone banking. It seems that most people would not pick up a number they don’t recognize. Do they ask you questions? If so, what are the most frequently asked?
Yes, I do. Let me break down the averages. I usually speak with at least 3 of those people. One or two will hang up and the rest I leave messages for.
The Dems have always said - it's the personal phone calls that help motivate people to start showing up.
It takes lots of calls...
Thank you for your work!
Join us. It's a nice group to phone bank with people. Much better than just venting in the comment section. ;)
Which group do you participate with?
You have to be very good at it, otherwise you get the opposite results.
I don't know. Just be polite and honest. It's not the easiest thing to do but it is very important.
I am honest, polite means not hurting some ones feelings, but honest expression results in hurting some ones feelings, so a conundrum, polite and honest are at opposite ends.
PS) It only takes 50 + 1 to win an election.
i wish that were the case, but with the Electoral College, and gerrymandering, and the Trump aggressively taking over election supervision/certification positions, i think we'll need a huge Blue tsunami to beat Trumpism once and for all. If it's close, I can already hear the cries of "rigged" and "stolen".
If ever there was a need for a landslide Blue Wave, it's now.
But as you can see from the passionate debate over Palestine, and from the presence of 3rd party candidates siphoning off (disappointed or protesting voters), it'll be all hands on deck.
Hopefully sites like this can help to unify and motivate anti-Trump voters to focus on the only issue: defeat Trump in Nov. No other issue should take precedence over that.
I don't disagree but I like to have hope. I'm reading an excellent book you might like. It's the last 24 hours of Robespierre. The liberal groups were all fighting for control and how the government kept rolling over and heads too. In the end, women and minorities still lost out on their rights.
It's interesting isn't it. That humans can be such failures at simple tasks like treating each other with respect and dignity???
https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Robespierre-Hours-Revolutionary-Paris/dp/0198715951
thanks for the reference; our current culture of lack of respect has been approved and celebrated by that ugly Trump, and we'll all be better off when he's gone. I still have hope, mainly because I think women voters will come through and dump the misogynist pig. Just sayin'
I do it on the web. There is a website I paste stuff from Lib-Talk.com that has a listing of facts arranged by topic for pasting to comments sections to challenge right wing lies and also to promote Biden's policies. Probably a DNC thing. It's convenient and interesting to read. Concentrated factoids. More people should use it.
wow - that's awesome. I really appreciate the links and knowledge this blog promotes.
My favorite quote among all of them, might be the first one:
“I’ve been around for a long time and it just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans.” - Donald Trump in an interview with Wolf Blitzer, 2004.
That was priceless - Biden should be blasting that everywhere - with a Dem logo on it of course. And, he approves that statement. LOL>
To repeat myself: If phone banking is your thing, nobody does it better than PDA (pdamerica.org).
Janet, I agree that phone banking is powerful. I also know there are people that hate phone banking, but maybe they love writing letters to the editor, driving people to rallies, handing flyers out at campaign events, designing and creating campaign pieces, talking to people about why they support a candidate.
There are many things we can do. I just suggest you find YOUR comfort zone, then get out there and make a difference.
My intention was not ugly. ???
Of course everyone should pitch in as they can.
I can tell ya - I've read people just like to donate but it takes showing up in person (in some fashion) to safeguard democracy, no?
Janet, my intent was to put out options. It is incredibly difficult to bring new people onboard. Many have no idea how much we can all do in order to make a difference.
I agree. Bring them in gradually! :)
Phone banking isn't easy but neither is leaving the state...
I can say, with total honesty, I hate phone banking but am great at writing Letters to the Editor, and talking to people. I got into politics about fifteen years ago. Boy, did I start out slow 8)! I sat and I listened for one city election cycle (I am a watcher). I was not a happy camper so I stuck with my senate district and found out I am pretty good at recognizing need. My community needed to engage minorities sooooo I was elected to be the district Outreach and Inclusion Officer. Oh my, what did I get into? I am white, I am woman, and I am now 73 years old. What I did know was growing up poor with very flawed parents, I was an outsider and that was not a good thing where I grew up. I listen with an open mind and I learned my struggles were not all that different from other peoples. I started by talking to the insiders, very intimidating, but they listened, I came up with simple ways to open our political arms, registering new voters, driving folks to meetings, setting up gatherings at apartments that were primarily minority residents. It worked well and I was happy. Then somebody got me to attend our Congressional District Meeting. I guess my reputation preceded me because I was elected to be Outreach and Inclusion Officer for a bigger group with a little bit different issues. Some of them were inside the party and I was peeved. A bad thing, peeving me, I worked to the top of the party addressing some of our deeply ingrained issues. My next move was to be Outreach and Inclusion office for our Environmental Caucus. More work, more learning but knowing I was making differences where I went. Finally, I moved to a small town in Minnesota with a very different political view than my own. I could not find a new home for my need to work for change. I have now been in that small town for five years and a year ago I ran for City Council and now hold a seat there. I am learning much different things, but again, seem to have found my niche. I see issues that need a person to articulate and highlight those issues. This year is the year I begin fighting for those who need a voice, and strong shoulders to help make change.
Remember every stamp on a letter, every ride to the grocery store is an opportunity, every time we lend an ear and a hand we make a change in the town, the state, the country, the universe!
Find your niche, one baby step at a time. You will not regret it.
If you are in Florida, subscribe to this one for the bills they small gop are pushing through https://jasongarcia.substack.com
What happens in Florida will not stay in Florida.
Omg! Move!
LOL - yes but I do love the beaches. Nikki Fried and the Florida Dems are turning it around. We need your help phone banking. Please sign up for the monthly email for opportunities.
I'm ready to "kick" these god awful reps out to the curb. Figuratively speaking.
I have my updated passport too..
My sister lives in FL. I have been trying to convince her to move since Rhonda Sanctimonious first reared his ugly head. Sadly, she is stuck with him for another 2 years now, unless Disney and his newly liberated Mickey "Steamboat Willie" Mouse can take him down.
https://patch.com/florida/stpete/st-pete-artist-s-rhonda-santis-drag-stickers-benefits-equality-fl
Peggy, thanks for the inspiration. I am usually a pretty upbeat person but it has been hard lately when the contrasts between what happens to "real" Americans and what Trump gets away with on a daily basis is shoved into our faces every day. I need to just know we can do something about this and we are not helpless. I have read stories lately about the people who opposed the Holocaust and were active in saving people. There were not a huge number of them, but enough that thousands of lives were saved and there were people afterward who could help rebuild and institute a morality within the people who had housed perpetrators. Our struggle is not as intense or deadly as theirs, but they remind me that everyone can do something no matter how small.
Absolutely, Ruth!
Your best bet in my view is not to disparage the morbidly obese, exceptional, (formerly known as "retarded") dementia-ravaged rapist man-child. Your best bet is to tout President Biden's HISTORIC achomplishments! [sic] I'm taking about the ACTUALLY America-first CHIPS and PACT acts, and THE biggest investment in planet Earth EVER!
If a woman answers, then one needs a good Female sovereignty speech.
Do not use the word abortion, it is all about who is master or mistress of their own life, future and mind.
Don't forget Public Citizen,very proactive and working in Washington for over 50 yrs.
You rock Peggy Freeman!
Why thank you very much!!
Brace yourselves for something really stupid coming to pass in TX at the southern border.
That should be the Thought for the Day... every day.
It is! It's the reason I get up in the morning. I'm infinitely curious about what hair-brained horseshit will be a'comin' down the pike next!
Here's an 11th suggestion I admit I'm surprised Dr Reich missed on his list:
11. Do Not Emigrate To Canada Or Anywhere Else!
@DZK - why not leave? As an African American woman, who has never been treated properly in this country because of my demographic, I'm tired and see no equal rights ever happening here despite 400 years of promises. Migration is happening but I don't believe the majority of Americans are willing to right the wrongs of this country's racist, sexist past to dissuade it.
Where would you consider going? It seems difficult for black women everywhere. (Perhaps that’s why some of the wisest women I’ve known are older African American women.)
Hi Midwest, Stephanie Perry has a YouTube channel that's a resource for Black women, in particular, considering leaving America. She gives plenty of suggestions on where to go, costs, housing options, etc. Her channel is one of many resources. A lot of Black people are leaving and finding success.
What Africa countries ae not infected by misogyny, anti LGBT, have real democracies, not coups and dictatorships and racism. Yes there is racism among blacks, like Hutu's and Tutsi's.
Not discussed is the revolution in Santo Domingo, as it was then called (Now Haiti and Dominican Republic), the slaves rose up against the Whites, massacred them, those that weren't fled to hwat became Marengo Co, Alabama
Once they purged the whites, they turned on the quadroons, then came the mulattoes.
There are some tribes in Africa that consider albino flesh, medicine.
Liberia was founded by liberated slaves transported back to the continent, but it too has a troubled and violent history. And American blacks are considered to be white, and foreigners.
Kenya is suppose to be great, but not if you are looking for a job, in fact anyone who relocates overseas, better have some skill set that makes them independent.
Ten best cities world wide for blacks
https://greenbookglobal.com/travel-the-world/11-best-cities-for-black-people-in-2022/
African Americans in Ghana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans_in_Ghana#:~:text=Ghana%20served%20as%20a%20place,lost%20relatives%20in%20their%20homeland.
Just because I'm black doesn't mean I would consider Africa or any city on your list that's obviously written by someone who isn't fully informed.
Karen you don't see equal rights because you don't want to, You have myopia, all that you see is race. You don't see the real problem Classism, and racism is only a subset of classism, the upper class (Plutocrats, oligarchs, 1%. 10%, however you define them, keep us at each others throats, and divided, by tweaking out emotions and the lizard brain, and frankly have done a very good job of that, as yours is a constant and perpetual complaint among blacks.
No equal rights you say. Check your definition of equal rights. I say.
When the constitution was written it was written by and for property owning white men. And at the outset the common white man that didn't own property did not have the vote, but that changed slowly state by state.
This country was founded as a democratic Republic. A Republic is rule by wise men, and who were the wise men of Rome, the Senatorial Class, and who was the Senatorial class? Rich men who owned estates, large swathes of land with slaves, tending crops, animals, and performing chores.
It took almost 200 years for America to become a true democracy, where everyone was franchised, it took four amendments, the 15th, 17th,19th, and 26th to enfranchise all the people, but even then not everyone was considered a citizen with rights, not if you were homosexual or transgendered, and now the clock is ticking backwards.
There are even two blacks on the Supreme Court,but no gay or transgendered.
Karen you suffer from the disability of myopia. tunnel vision, and in that you are no different than the white Christian nationalist.
The motto of the human race is "It is all about me".
BTW Racism and sexism have been with humanity since we beat each other with sticks. It is a human legacy, not just American.
Problems have solutions, if there is no solution, then it is not a problem, but a difficulty and we have to learn to live with difficulties.
Racism is biologically evolved, to protect the tribe, and be suspicious of the other.
Sexism is biologically evolved and hormonalyly driven.
The human brain is supposedly evolved to enable the pre frontal cortex, to act as a conductor and moderate/suppress these primitive urges, but there is the ever present lizard brain. Which doesn't think but only reacts, and all humans have one, what it reacts to is threats. Some threats are instinctual, but most are learned.
Your bitch is no with America, it has made great strides since 1775, your bitch is with the species.. No matter where you go, you are going to run into the same situation.
@Lee I don't consider myself bitching and don't need you telling ME who my problem is with. There are American Black people currently living in other countries with a totally different experience than in America so no it's not the same situation everywhere.
Have I told you, that you have a problem, or is it the old saying that if the shoe fits.?
Karen I agree, but you do have myopia.
Racism in one form or another exists wherever humans exist. It is biologic, the question is are it's harm moderated or sublimated.
Pity the blue eyed person in a society of brown eyes, and vice versa.
And what is the difference between how blacks in America are treated and in a country of your choice, that is not predominantly black.
Every country, every peoples have a different experience, people have a tendency to idolize experiences other than their own..I posted above some links to African counties which one might find to their liking, but in each on e of them, one had better come with their own job, and not as a job seeker. Kenya and Ghana are at the top of the list. Then again you have to confront the fact that you are an American, different, with no knowledge of local customs,language, dialects, slang, traditions.
Some cultures, not necessarily black, have a tradition of the "evil eye", it is the eye cast towards the outsider, he or she that does not belong.
If you are an American, in a country that is still developing the expectation is that you are rich, and thus can be expected to be harassed by kids and people seeking a handout, and be taken advantage of in the market or stores.
In my time in foreign countries, I always tried to learn the language and customs, but every where I went if you didn't haggle for a price, you weren't respected and were taken advantage of.
\
Wow, Lee. Harsh. I don’t even know what to say.
Yes I am harsh, but so is reality.
Yes, reality can be harsh and I can see that you make no effort to make the world better. I find your attitude towards Karen offensive. You have no reason to attack her.
Why do you think so many people, from everywhere, want to come here?
Vote Democrats into the majority, and watch this democratic republic achieve its ideals: a healthy, safe, educated public working in a robust economy, good working relationships with the rest of the world's countries.
Vote Republicans in-- or let them win in 2024 by not doing anything to get out the BLUE Vote-- and America will become a fascist state.
The inexplicit meaning of fascism is people living in fear and want-- not unlike America's own Jim Crow south.
Picasso's Guernica; why Mussolini was hanged; why Hitler killed himself, his beloved dog, his new wife so many associates; these are apexes of the results of fascism-- hinting only at what daily life is like for millions.
Sounds extreme, doesn't it?
Actually Mussolini was only hanged AFTER he was dead. He was captured by partisans while attempting to escape to Switzerland. There may or may not have been some sort of trial or tribunal, but if so it was likely a mere formality... I don't think there was much question about his crimes or his guilt.
"The generally accepted version of events is that Mussolini was shot by Walter Audisio*, a communist partisan." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Benito_Mussolini)
* So yes, there is such a thing as a good guy with a gun. (If you want to honor him, his birthday is June 28.)
I'm sorry that that is so true.
If you believe your vote is meaningless and don't feel that it will damage your community's interests, and you believe your treatment is so intolerable that you cannot possibly go on living >anywhere< in the US, then do as you see fit.
Most people can't emigrate to Canada or anywhere else. I checked out Canada and New Zealand, only you can bring in over a quarter of a million dollars AND a business that will create jobs Canada will not accept you, unless yo are seeking asylum (real asylum, not economic " asylum" like the Venezuelans and most "asylum seekers". New Zealand will issue a temporary residence Visa, which can be renewed if your business is sustainable.
On a lighter note, I understand Tovarich Putin has already invited disaffected МАГАт Яepuблиkan$ to emigrate to Russia. He promised to create special ghetto communities - 'cause that's >exactly< what they would be - for them! 🤣
FYI: https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgwdew/russia-maga-colony
Wow, we need to be talking that up to all those disaffected MAGAs.
We should start a GoFundMe to buy them plane tickets. Luckily for them air travel in Russia is state-of-the art, just ask Yevgeny Prigozhin… and stay away from the windows!
FYI: https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgwdew/russia-maga-colony
FYI: https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgwdew/russia-maga-colony
🤣👍
Outstanding I wish they would take him up on the offer, I wonder if Orban will get in on the act.
Maybe my defective congresscritter will defect to Hungary. He (the gun-totin' seditionist Andy "Gaspasser" Harris) is a great disciple of Orban.
I would totally start a GoFundMe for that. I would even drive him to the airport.
FYI: https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgwdew/russia-maga-colony
LOL. Bon voyage, they will love it their, until they discover that Russians are mongrel mongols, (well one out of six are descendants of the Great Khan ) and that most Russians are Asiatics and Muslim.
👍
Kind of like The Villages in central Florida, LOL.
IDK if the golf courses in Russia are as good, though.
👍
Lee, is running from a fascist crazy man considered an acceptable reason for asylum?
I would say yes, but I don't think Canada and New Zealand would, not until they started rounding up and/or killing people as the fat crazy man has threatened, and I take him at his word. He means what he says and says what he means, but evidently the world or most of it is in denial or just don't care.
Myself I prefer Costa Rica and Panama, but even those countries are closing their doors to gringo's.
Spanish is a beautiful language and is easier to learn than English. My wife and I are gringo's but we use Spanish between us all of the time.
Here;s the rquirement for Costa Rica residence visa https://visaguide.world/moving-to/costa-rica/#:~:text=To%20move%20to%20Costa%20Rica%2C%20you%20are%20required%20to%20apply,Moving%20to%20work.
All a retiree needs is an income of $1,000 usd monthly.
HEALTH & HEALTH SYSTEM. Costa Rica is one of the few countries in Latin America that offers almost complete, universal coverage through the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) in the public sector and has coverage options through the private sector as well.. Although I can't vouch for it's quality of health care.
Panama has a number of visas, especially for the retired, http://www.consulatepanama.com/panama-residency-citizenship-and-passports.html#:~:text=General%20Requirements%20and%20Documents,as%20dependents%20of%20their%20parents.
But don't expect to go to Panama or Costa Rica and find a job, they don't want competition from emigrees for scarce jobs.
I lived in Panama for three years and my 2nd wife was Panamanian, I love the country, the people, the culture, the food, but in the 1980's Citibank launched a massive propaganda campaign to get Panamanians addicted to credit cards, and once they did, the prices took off, and Panamanian prices are comparable to American, and they have a steep customs tariff on imported goods.
It's only revenue, legal, is tourism and the canal, and much of that goes to operation and maintenance.
Don't worry: most people can't do this for a few different reasons.
UNRELATED - but kind'a fun:
This clip is of a British TV show from the time of Obama relating to the politics of the time. Tovarich МАГАт always liked to say "the world is laughing at us." Go to the 42 minute mark to begin a segment concerning what they were laughing at: https://youtu.be/2jhUwWxNl3A?si=R4hHDLnEsvR3Y-Ul BTW: This show is performed to a live audience, so the reaction is live.
(The rest of the clip is fun, too. For some it will be a stroll down memory lane and for others it will be interesting things - focusing on the absurdities of politics - they never knew about Britain.)
What Rubbish ~ enough of these ZOMBIE SNAKES.
hinged versus unhinged zombie snake is NOT a choice !
"Our" system has failed us. therefore it's NOT our system any more.
BOOOOOOOOOOO to ZOMBIE SNAKES !
I understand your despair. We had to get Lula out of prison and vote for him, even though we had all the reasons not to, in order to get rid of Bolsonaro. Lula won by less than 2% of the valid votes (around 2 million) but we survived fascism in 2022. In less than one year, the courts ruled that Bolsonaro tried to temper with democracy and he is now forbidden to run for any public office ever again. Just wish you guys had done the same. Without Trump, Bolsonaro would never have existed. With Trump, civilization as we know it is over.
That's a problem. Trump is far more than a threat to American Democracy. At this critical time, and due to America's position of leadership, he is a threat to civilization.
As much as I loath drumpf, he is not the threat. The threat are the criminally stupid who support him. Those who know better, like Stefanik and Lindsey, and those who don't.
The threats are the corporations who corruptly fund them all, and the billionaires who have bought our Extreme Court. The individuals you mention are just their hired thugs.
"Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail." (Henry David Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience")
“Never be deceived that the rich will permit you to vote away their wealth.” (Lucy Parsons, IWW founding convention, 1905)
they all are and trump is their leader
Exactly! I was very worried about what might happen to Brazil when you were faced with an insurrection similar to ours right after Lula beat Bolsonaro. The actions of your authorities were prompt & appropriate & quickly prevented a takeover by Bolsonaro partisans & relieved your nation of the scourge which has plagued us ever since because of the lack of prompt, decisive action by our own justice department. I've admired how Brazil handled it. You showed us the way, but our leadership remains blind.
By the way, what happened to Bolsonaro? Last I heard he took refuge in the fascist state inhabited & dominated by enemies of democracy like Trump, DeSantis, Rick Scott, Rubio, Gaetz & Luna, but I haven't heard about him in over a year, maybe close to two.
Thank you, Jaime.
He has been hiding at home trying to escape prison... but just today, Justice got a little bit closer.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/29/police-raid-mansion-of-jair-bolsonaro-son-carlos-as-part-of-spying-investigation
When he first absconded he was staying in FL in the next town over from my sister.
He was.... hoping to be invited by Donald to Mar-a-Lago, but this never happened. So he used the opportunity to sell some jewels he had received as State presents from Saudi Arabia. This is one of the many criminal charges he is facing right now.
Has Lula tried tobo put a stop to or slow down the Amazon burning that Bolsonaro accelerated?
He has... in fact the improvement is visible.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/06/brazil-amazon-deforestation-lula
The fascist's plan was to just burn it down.
Excellent
Thanks. Maybe those in the media will do more to publicize Brazil's experience leading up to our 2024 election.
Bill Maher just did this week!
Watch on You Tube
Betty, thank you. I will watch this later.
good for him ! Is Maher media ? Oh yeah I guess so. I meant the CNNs and others. As far as I can tell from the media there is only the United States.
Bolsonaro is much darker than Trump.Glad the Brazilian people voted him out.
Probably not 'much darker'. Give Trump credit for the revenge he hopes to inflict, using the full force of the American government, and over-ruling the Justice Dept.
Not to mention isolationist and combative foreign "policy" including redux of his utterly incompetent trade wars.
Glad you haven't forgotten his reckless trade policy. Seems like everyone else has forgotten
Trump has done his utmost to be as dark as he can be, both behaviorally with his evil ways, & physically by bronzing his orange skin.
👏👏👏👏👏😘
Belated Congratulations! I still wear my "Cerveja, Picanha, Samba, Lula 2022" t-shirt.
Thank you, Greg!
If only the Democratic Party had done what it needed to get rid of trump.
you mean Garland.
Exactly. Garland is a feeble drone. He was appointed primarily as a f*ck-you to Mitch McConnell.
We need a people's prosecutor as AG: Keith Ellison comes to mind. Or Chesa Boudin or Larry Krasner.
It is worse than that Greg. Garland is a right winger, by his history and his actions since AG. He appointed Weiss, a Trump schedule F, attorny, to prosecute Hunter, but has given Ivanka and Jr a free pass,, he hasn't prosecuted Gaetz and leaves him there to screw up the country, he never prosecuted the real conspirators in Congress, and he only prosecuted the low life J6 soldiers, most of whom got a slap on the wrist, and he moved the Documents trial to Florida, when the crime actually occured in DC when Waltine Nauta loaded the documents on the airplane, and thenhe saw to it that a Trump appointeed magistrate judge would sit on the documents case, and hasn't removed her for incompetence.
And finally it took almost two years to appoint Jack Smith, and he did so only because of pressure from his peers (jurists, and respected lawyers)
Wow! I never connected the dots!
That is because the media keeps us distracted with bright shiny objects, Todays bright shiny object is Taylor Swift. Things are pretty quiet in the world, not that the Ukraianians and Israelis and Palestinians would know it, and how about the poor suffering Sudanese, or Malians or Bangledeshians flooded out of their homes, or the millions of Indians of Indians living in slums are dying of disease.
Suffering is the fate of humanity, Every minute every second of every day, one or more people are dying of exposure, starvation, war, disease. and all of those people who whine and bitch about poor Gazans, are ignorant or oblivious to all of the human suffering on his planet, and not just human, but all living creatures. We raise living creatures to torture them, kill them and eat them.
Meanwhile the corporate or government media distracts us with bright shiny objects.
]Is there any intelligent life on earth" Why even spend money on SETI, the radio telescopes should be pointed downward not up to the sky.
i am an atheist for good cause, because if there was a god, that god would be a psychic vampire, and Earth is it's garden, were it feeds off the pain, fear and anguish of all life, most of which is being eaten alive,, and dying in the most horrible of pain and fear, meanwhile there is a species that is suppose to be top of the food chain, and when it isn't torturing, killing and eating other creatures is inflicting pain and suffering on others of it's kind, because they belong to a different tribe, or have something that the other tribe wants.
I have 84 trips around the sun, and with luck another 15, probably less, and it is a blessing. I've seen all there is to see, done almost all there is to do, or at least what I would like to do, if I haven't done it, I don't want it.
And I will shuffle off this mortal coil, to leave behind a species which delights in making others of their species or not, suffer.
Did you know that trees communicate with each other, through Mycelium or through scents, that plants feel pain, the world must be full of silent screams.
I had a pine tree whose roots were threatening my well, it was over a hundred years old. I had it cut down, and it's mate, about 50 ft away committed suicide, it died. Damnedest thing ever, no infestation of beetles or a disease, it was healthy and growing until we cut down it's "mate.
Keith Ellison is the featured guest on a PDA Zoom TODAY at 5 pm ET. pdamerica.org - probably also on YouTube.
I feel that ignoring Trump and deliberately getting his name wrong when speaking with his supporters somehow helps to take the wind out of his sails. His entire political project is built on a self-righteousness mixed with vituperative malice. This requires an engagement with his rage which taking him less seriously helps to diffuse.
Don't confuse this with the kind of complacency that many Democrats exhibited into 2016, you have to take him seriously as a threat. But when speaking of him get Ronald's name wrong deliberately so that they know you know. Take every opportunity to portray him as the ludicrous, con-artist, incompetent he actually is but in a non-confrontational way ("I remember when someone said that...", "Oh yes that's because his biggest funders are working people who also happen to be wealthy billionaires", etc, etc).
Trump is a mass of contradiction held together by his BS personality cult. Take out the personality and the whole thing unravels.
We need to start making the media focus away from the yellow-haired ghoul. Stop giving him oxygen! Well-said
So true. The media has been the mango madman's best friend and they continue to bombard the airwaves with his threats, deranged messages and his revenge-fueled quests if he's reelected. Just like his shrinking monetary resources, hit him where it can potentially hurt him the most and stop giving the exposure and attention he so desperately seeks. The airwaves need to focus on a positive message rather than a felonious, dishonest, autocratic shtick.
We need to play his game. Call him orange face, fat, old and senile…definitely needs to hire a stylist. Tell him his hair needs to be cut…Hasn’t been since the 70’s. Call him a rapist and a grifter. If he can criticize Haley’s dress and call women nasty then we can do the same. Disgusting pig wound be nice!
I like this. Just be sure to use "bitter and abusive" over "vituperative."
“I think you can bring down totalitarian governments faster by using ridicule than you can with invective.”
— Mel Brooks, on The Producers/Springtime for Hitler
Splendid idea,now if we could get the media to do it!
Call him any name that soothes your childish tantrum; make clown faces. Won't change the fact he will be called President next year.
Smart!
Legacy Media needs to “Straighten Up And Fly Right” as my mother used to tell me when I was a child if I was naughty!
Something Serious to ponder:
To put today’s Republican Party in the simplest terms, here’s their idea of how to make America great again! They are telling us who they are and they are telling all of us that they are 100% Party over Country! These are Trump’s commands going forward whether he’s elected or steals the next election! They have taken the pledge WWG1WGA!
1. Tear up the Constitution, to which they all took the oath to protect, and instead make their own laws designed around what their dictator wants.
2. The dictator will have all the power just like North Korea! No longer will there be a need for 3 branches of government or the FBI, CIA, etc…
3. They will Eradicate all their opponents to the dictator’s agenda! Elections would become a thing of the past!
4. Women would once again become subservient to men.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg! Is this a country you want to live in??
I know this sounds extreme but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. Trump or a Trump 2.0 would try to make it happen!
Abraham Lincoln, more or less, foresaw and warned us that it could happen. It sure looks a lot like what we are living through today!
Heather Cox Richardson’s Substack is a great historical recollection of Lincoln’s speech when he was only 28 years old.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=12boh6
Keith - I, too, was going to reference Heather Cox Richardson and her mention of how Lincoln’s Lyceum Address was basically a prediction of trump but I don’t know how to link it to here so thank you for doing so. Sadly we never seem to learn anything from our history.
Add Field Team 6. https://www.fieldteam6.org/
MISSION: Register Democrats. Save the World.
ONLYnationalorganizationdoing: ● Proudlypartisanvoterregistration ● Intargetedswingstates&districts ● In-personanddigitally ● Usingauniquescoreddatabaseofmillionsof“unregisteredlikelyDems” ● Andourowncustom-builtvoterregistrationsiteVoterizer.org ● Everydayofeveryyear● Withanarmyofvolunteers ● ● Andhavingfundoingit!
I got a call from a member of Field Team 6 last week. The energy gave me hope and helped me refuel.
Daniel - Thank you for the link because this is actually not one that I have heard of before!
Excellent Daniel,for the home team!
Daniel: Thanks for this. I have gotten emails from them but didn't have any way of telling how trustworthy they are.
Even those who study it know nothing. Desantis was a history major.
DeSantis got his undergraduate degree from Yale and his JD from Harvard. Observing what he says and does,
he deserves a full refund for both. He learned absolutely nothing from either school!
They want to eliminate sex education from the schools in Fla.
Probably just as well… you don’t want to risk people like DeSatan learning how to reproduce!
Jen - considering what Desantis is trying to turn his schools into I can only take a guess at what he was/wasn’t taught.
"Those who know history are condemned to watch others repeat it." (Wise saying)
No Way !!!
Keith: I think you mean "Lethargy Media." They're trying to put us all to sleep (my gun-totin' Congresscritter is literally an anesthesiologist).
Thank you for this. I was both devastated and horrified when Trump won in 2016. I do not want to go through that again.
I was so devastated, I formed a group of 4 women who were just as devastated as I was and were honest, and would always have my back and would meet every week to talk about our feelings and what we were going to do to get us through the next 4 years. That was in 2016, and we are still going strong, rarely miss a week and at times, video chat. During the pandemic, we would meet at each other's outside patio. 9 years. It was a God-send. You see, we are all Catholics, went to the same school for 12 years, went to the same church, parties, picnics, graduations, birthday parties and so did our friends who voted for trump and a lot of them lashed out at people like the 4 of us. Double whammy! As a group of Catholics/friends, we would meet 3 times a year and a special meeting at Christmas. Most of that ended.
My best friend asked me a question about what trump said and before I could answer, her husband was screaming at me, red in his face, 2 inches away from me and I looked at my best friend wondering what was going on and she was "smirking" along with another childhood Catholic friend and their families at our Christmas gathering. I was confused, shocked. I got up and left, never to talk to them again. A lot of us lost alot in 2016. Hell, I have family members who support trump. My brother is a transgender who backs trump. Çan't even talk to him. Thank God he doesn't vote.
I throw money at Democrats who I think can win and of course Biden-Harris. I talk about all the good Biden has done. My next door neighbor who is a devout Catholic, anti abortion, is voting for Biden for the 2nd time due to me taking the time to talk to her.
Sorry for me literally "throwing-up" this a.m. I'm usually upbeat but this morning brought back the SHOCK of 2016 and the fact that trump and his party are still here even though every one of them took the oath of the Constitution. The criminal, the rapist, the racist and wannabe dictator. Wondering when my friends and people will wake up. I think I see a split in voters.
Thank you, my long time partner has really changed since Trump. It has infected every part of my social and personal space. I even went back and got the reports from 2016 to show him how the Republicans allowed putin by allowing Trump to run that party. But, that's the thing, Trump and fox turned all against any source other than the party narrative. I am exhausted. I am 44, found 2 kids of breast cancer during pandemic, then my stepmother died of covid, then my exmarine, former psychiatrist father with Parkinsons needed help. Thank goodness my dad didn't fall for it. But I am exhausted. I want to door knock, but won't dare, too many gun owning far right religious groups around me. But reading this has alleviated some of the weariness. Thank you.
I just saw this reply again. Forgive me. I am scared to leave my dad with no one. I am not scared to die for something good. I feel a coward with Navalny willing to suffer and die just to show his people what real bravery looks like. The Ukrainian people dying every day for the idea of a more perfect union, when they are dying for what I have, I complain about doorknocking being dangerous. Forgive me. They are flooding the field with sh*t, so there is so much that it feels futile to put a hand out.
Sorry that happened to you, Kathryn, it had to be horrifying. Your ex-best friend's husband sounds like a lunatic, and the others acted like high schoolers playing some terrible prank. I hope this group of 4 you formed is still getting together and you're getting support.
The group of 4 are also my childhood friends and they went through most of the same things I did. We talk about the truth, who to vote for, who to donate to, and personal things. We are fine and help each other. Thanks everyone for caring. Just had a meltdown this morning. Lol same as everyone has. Lol
Thank you for your service. I mean service. This is so much like a war; a war for hearts & minds.
I’m so sorry you have lost people you care about to the Melon Felon. People like you are indispensable to the preservation American democracy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! ❤️
"Melon Felon" LOL! Great nickname when I get tired of "Mango Mussolini."
We are all going through some form of a meltdown
Right you are. Truth be told, I must take breaks from politics. Otherwise, I lie in bed thinking about how screwed we are and how little we can do about it.
I have never missed an election in my life and that won’t change. I keep reminding myself that China & Russia will overwhelm us with disinformation. The disinformation campaign is already in full swing. They will divide, exhaust, demoralize and confuse. With help from the Melon Felon, they will saturate the left with chaos., Steve Bannon’s specialty. What big lie will they pull out of the hat in October?
If Putin doesn’t get Trump back in the WH his ambitions of glory and empire are finished. History tells us that Putin will not stop at Ukraine. The future of Eastern Europe may be riding on our shoulders. What happens in America doesn’t stay in America, as we learned from the Great Depression. This time, Trump will finish the job destroying NATO. Putin’a counting on him.
I truly enjoyed your submission.
@Kathryn: "Thank god he doesn't vote!"
Everyone it seems is obsessed with Trump having initiated the Jan 6th insurrection, for which he has yet to be imprisoned. Which highlights just how broken the Judicial system is. But even prior to Jan 6th, he was demonstrably guilty of numerous crimes : Fraud, Slander, Libel, Tax Evasion, Rape, etc. If served consecutively, he would be imprisoned for several lifetimes. The fact that he hasn't been tried, convicted, and _already_ serving ANY time in prison does pretty clearly show that some people ARE above the Law.
I shudder to think how many more like him are out there criming under the public radar.
The scary thing to me is that it is now safer to assume that most of "Our" legislators (and several SCOTUS justices as well) are "on the take" from Wealthy donors -- and therefore Guilty of **something**, if not guilty of much worse -- than are NOT "on the take." And as long as they are in office, the graft WILL continue to flow.
🤞🏾 Hopefully, hopefully they aren’t as charismatic. I don’t get it either. Many people were enthralled by Hitler, too. Some or them were Jews!
As a little kid, i stayed with a neighbor who watched me when my mother went to the store. She would do her housework and play old LP’s in German. (She had come to the US after the war.) The LP’s were of Hitler screaming and yelling. Thankfully I didn’t understand a word of German. I was too young to understand who Hitler was, although I had a lot of little friends who were Jewish. All I know was they spoke of Hitler in hushed tones. All these years later I realize it was fear. They were terrified to even mention his name.
What sickens me the most is that Germany went from being a progressive, artsy, well respected, very liberal country and in just three years they were already murdering disabled kids and elderly adults. Once the population was desensitized to that, they were rounding up Jews and stealing their property. These were lifelong friends, some of whom had intermarried so the families were blended. Three years!!!
The Heritage Foundation already has the blueprint to cement authoritarianism to replace democracy. It would only take a year, perhaps?
Very scary. Once the fascists are in power, it can take decades to get rid of them.
Sickening
Despair and cynicism create voter apathy and fuel fascism.
It's been 8 years
I joined Indivisible in 2017. I am not filled with despair nor am I cynical but I'm tired Professor. That's my biggest problem. Exhausten which I know also fuels fascism.
My advice to all the exhausted people is to not feel guilty if you cannot commit to being politically active.
Every thing you do no matter how big or small is important. Just voting itself as an individual is important.
And local elections as well as elections in your own state for Congress and the Senate are just as important as the Presidency.
Thank you. I had to take a break once Biden took office. I still send occasional emails or call my rep and some senators, but had to learn to set the anxiety aside. It’s time to gear up again.
I burned myself out when trump was President
Even now I can't believe I'm writing the words "trump" and President in the same sentence.
The burnout is very real and part of how fascism succeeds. It's always how trump has operated
Exhausting the legal system by delay tactics and exhausting the people who try to hold him accountable as well as mob tactics of threats and intimidation.
When President Biden won I told my son that we have been saved. I thought trump would be held accountable much faster than he has been and criminally not just civically
It's okay to just be one citizen that votes
You don't have to carry the weight of the country on your shoulders if you can't do it. I have found that activism has many forms besides a full unpaid job.
I treat everyone I meet with dignity and kindness for example. That too is activism.
That's beautiful!
So you know how proactive they are,all over the country.Ezra Klein is brilliant and down to earth.My friend and I wrote postcards for the midterms and hope to do it again.
I know that it takes time, money and commitment
Not everybody can do that
That's why the members who are the most active are primarily older people
They have the time and the money
My point was to make people feel that they don't need to necessarily join an organized group to contribute to the preservation of democracy.
👏🦅👏
I would join Indivisible again, but after the 2020 election the local chapter became Invisible.
A useful project to do is to Write to the American Psychiatric Association and demand they drop their defaming blacklist of peer-agreed psychiatric doctors who’s diagnosis of Donald John Trump is as frightening as any in history of a nation destroyed by impostors to statesmanship.
The American Psychiatric Association has taken millions in corporate largesse, and then silenced their own psychiatric community which knows the dire pathological consequences for a population, exhausted of resources and succumbing to a pathological personality with a penchant to enjoy violence.
Do you ask why a planet is falling into violence and fascism’s hateful fuel of destruction? Look no farther than the top position in what, until the 45th President, was the most admired and powerful office in the world.
Communities and countries have become infested by the admiring sociopathic imitators of “power” displayed in antics of an entitled punk hoodlum on a world stage.
Entire highway systems suffer the carnage of automobile drivers emboldened by lawless acts of the Chief Executive and display their “freedom” and “power” careening at insane speeds and threading the needle of traffic lanes.
What, you didn’t notice the madness of American drivers once the Chief Executive steered the nation as the madman behind Resolute desk?
The Republican appointed & corporate captured Supreme Court, the corporate captured Congress, and the corporate/military Siamese twins of Pentagon and Congress sewn to the National budget which is grafted to neoconservative war-addicted economy, cannot stop the fate descending on America in Donald John Trump.
“We the People” must show the madness and diseased convictions of the social pathology.
An acumen for producing mass hysteria is in the pathology for the “strong man” idolatry, hysteria is mistaken for “power”.
The world is watching, but it watches a diseased personality lead the exhausted, the depleted, the bankrupt, the hopeless to the cliff, where they will jump off for their master, and the corporations will pick up the nation’s capital wealth left by destructive cadres of useful idiots who do the dirty work of armies without cost to the corporate rulers.
They burn down their Democracy and their freedom for a short blaze of Orange madness, and will then be tossed. Such is the fate of all pawns who serve devotion to the abnormal needs of a mentally psychotic leadership.
If you conduct a web search of the book “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” you may see a link to a Psychology Today article and statement of review of the seminal book - but you cannot access it on any search engine - it is FORBIDDEN by the masters of madness at the APA and their benefactors within corporate captured American government.
I found this review in the JAAPL. It’s not the Journal article but I bet it’s close.
https://jaapl.org/content/46/2/267
There are numerous copies for sale at
https://www.alibris.com/booksearch?mtype=B&keyword=The+Dangerous+Case+of+Donald+Trump&hs.x=33&hs.y=8
Also on bookshop.org, which is a network of indie bookstores.
What RR has written is good. But it is not enough. We should also attack tRump the way that the Enlightenment attacked Bourbon absolutism in France. The Enlightenment--best embodied by Voltaire and Diderot--attacked the Bourbons with wit and logic. It is not enough to simply be outraged and to organize. Diderot edited the Encyclopedie, now considered a forerunner of the French Revolution. As for Voltaire, his main weapons were logic and humor. Using these, he destroyed the moral and popular foundations of the French monarchy. Humor--gentle, or vicious as in satire--is a necessary tool in our fight against tRump. So is absurdity. It is totally absurd that "born again" Christians would support a man whose whole life is un-Christian. We need to use these weapons. For example, a play about the life of tRump, detailing his orgies and lies, could be very effective in exposing exactly what the Republicans are now supporting. Personally, I find it sad but very revealing that Republicans would support a convicted rapist over a very capable ex-Governor of South Carolina who happens to be female.
I agree with everything you point out David. I think we underestimate the power of humor and satire, especially in enlightening young people. It’s wonderful to see that idealism, but we need to look at the bigger picture. I am so happy to learn that Jon Stewart is returning to the late show. Comedians like Wanda Sykes and Stephan Colbert are so insightful and so quick to point out the absurdity and hypocrisy without being self righteous. I like your idea about a play too! “The Marriage of Figaro” was cutting edge and banned in France. Mozart’s opera based on the play was very controversial. Art and humor are important weapons! We need to be strategic!
Since you brought it up: https://youtu.be/Q3qvQsdtHfY?si=kLdoEjM-Ih-fDaT3
Lib-Talk.com is a collection of pithy responses made for for social media that correct Maga lies with fact and reason. It is less about attacking Trump, anyone can do that, and more about correcting the lies about Biden and Democrats. It is also about Biden's accomplishments , something the Democrats and news outlets seem unable to talk about.
Comedians on TV and Internet have been going at trump and cronies for years. Jon Stewart is rejoining The Daily Show. Lincoln Project ads use scathing humor.
Wit & Logic! Love this!
David: Capable of what? Of putting a pretty face on Christofascism?
Democrats Abroad is a vitally useful group for American expats around the world. An official arm of the Democratic Party, it informs and advises American citizens of their right to vote in US elections and assists in the sometimes challenging process. There are millions of us who are eligible, and we can make a difference! https://www.democratsabroad.org. VOTE for sure, volunteer on get out the vote efforts if you can! Many countries have their own committtees within the organisation.
Thank you for sharing this Ellen. I was living in Switzerland in the late 70’s early 80’s and remember voting (against Ronald Reagan - who we thought was the worst most evil politician ever!). I remember how helpless we felt sending our ballots off and wondering if they were even counted. I will share this with the people I know who are living abroad. It must be easier today! We need their votes to be counted too!
here's another organization to encourage and support those who live overseas to vote
https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter
Add Lib-Talk.com to the list of web sites devoted to making sure Joe Biden wins.
Yes, I feel outrage and I feel anger at our judicial system that is so terribly slow. I'm outraged that a person can steal something from a store and immediately go to jail, but lawmakers and an ex president can try to overthrow the government and are still walking around freely and continuing their lies to rile up the mob. This just shows everyone how messed up our justice system is.
Our judicial system coddles white collar criminals. Even IF they are found guilty of serious crimes they almost never are incarcerated. Mostly they are given a paltry fine.
Consider the sweetheart deal that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were given after destroying many young girl’s lives.
Don’t expect any different with Trump. When you see how indigent people are dealt with, you begin to understand the disparity between rich vs. poor and/or not white. There is no comparison to a defendant like Donald Trump. If my poor clients pisses off a judge, off to lockup they go.
Knowing the courts as intimately as I do, I have no faith in the prospect of Trump ever facing consequences. (I will believe it when I see it.) Even with a guilty verdict he will tie it up in appeals for years. I won’t live long enough.
Trump probably won't live long enough to see an end to the process either. Hopefully he will at least be stressed with it all and not be elected in November. I really think he has dementia like his father did.
I agree, Margaret. Reagan also had it. His was sufficiently advanced that he couldn’t be impeached over Iran Contra. He was non compos mentis and couldn’t meet the legal requirements to assist with his legal defense. But no one thought to invoke the 23rd Amendment! We were in the capable hands of Dan Quayle. I don’t know which was worse!
It makes me crazy knowing what the GOP has gotten away with over the years. If the Democrats were half as ruthless as the Republicans, we might be living in a very different country, huh?
There is some ruthlessness in the DNC too, but they are more subtle about it.
We all are.
Our Revolution has elected over 1,000 candidates to every level of government.
They need volunteers.
http://OurRevolution.com
Humor. Will Rogers once said, “I’m not a member of any organized political party - I’m a Democrat!” Humor can be an effective communications tool. But there are two kinds. The self-deprecating kind that Will Rogers used engages people and lowers their defenses; pointing out a weakness or flaw ironically makes you look strong. But there is a mean kind of humor too like Obama used on Trump at the 2016 WH Correspondents Dinner. This can anger people. I think we should use humor with our Republican friends, but not the mean kind. Will Rogers might have said, “Biden might not be your favorite choice for President but at least you’ll still have your country when it’s over!”
#trumpstinks
"How can anyone support someone who stole from kids with cancer?"
Or the DAV verson..."stole from disabled war veterans?"
@Daniel. Honestly, I don't know. I guess they just don't believe it. Willful disbelief I'm sure. But this is what gives my hope, almost confidence, about winning the general election. Only the diehard cult members are going to overlooks this guy's multiple crimes and moral abuses. At least half the Republican coalition will stay home, vote third party or even vote Biden. I'm feeling like we will make it.
As I have been saying Haley has better credibility with MAGATs than we do. So far, she hasn't said it...but maybe she will.
When I do, one on one, I can see it in their eyes, posture, as they choke on their beer.
@Daniel. LOL and then they spew...
The r real danger to reelection is Biden’s complicity in the Palestinian Genocide (there is even a court case in progress to this effect). Many are planning to sit out because of the moral conundrum this presents.
People believe that not voting for Biden will teach the Democratic Party to keep campaign promises and lean further left, but there will be no way to save the Republic if Fascism is allowed back into the White House.
Biden has failed morally and committed political suicide to boot with many young voters.
Sorry - but from a UK perspective I think that Biden is doing as much as he can to calm the Middle East down during a very fraught time. The problem goes back to Trump and the Republicans binning any negotiations with Iran 🇮🇷 after Obama had been making considerable progress. Trump also inflamed the situation by moving the US 🇺🇸 embassy to Jerusalem and making love to his fellow criminal Net.
I agree, Jim.
From a dual US-Canadian perspective I don't think Biden is doing as much as he can to calm the Middle East down during a very fraught time--shipping weapons to Israel is not particularly calming.
Both Hamas and Netanyahu & Co are in the wrong and refusing to acknowledge that and use the unique leverage the POTUS on both parties to bring about a ceasefire, the release of the hostages, and the two-state solution Israeli and Palestinian agreed to thirty years ago is costing Biden votes and the US international respect.
If he used his full powers and brought peace to the Middle East, Biden would undoubtedly win this year's election, but, if he doesn't, he's handing the US government to Fascism and, quite likely, helping a full-scale war to develop in the Middle East.
Wow, Jim, its nice to hear someone who has been paying close attention for a long while.
Also, right-wing American evangelicals have spent $hundreds of milllions$ courting favour with the right-wing arm of Israel, especially Natenyahu. Contrary to popular opinion, right-wing American evangelicals have more influence with Natanyahu than all American Jews put together. If you listen to Republicans talk about Israel, they are backing evangelical's ambitions for Israel.
Exactly!
Exactly!
Noted. Now how do you/we get the those folks to vote and not throw their vote away for their lofty principles? The system has run amuck, agreed. Biden has not handled the Middle East problems well. I am in agreement with many friends and family that are fed up with the party and Biden in general. However, the alternative is dangerous to say the least. I’m all for independents, third party and real choices for candidates but it’s about 3 years too late for them now. Significant changes must come solidly from local and state levels, now, for our future elections. We don’t need those candidates like Phillips and Williamson on the ballots for this year. We need - especially Phillips to get behind the current administration, show some true leadership-go after the DNC, continue to call out the MAGAs and their leaders, get the youth involved in the process of getting the younger voters to actually care and vote. Far too much is riding on this. More importantly we need to really pay attention to Harris and whoever trump picks for his running mate, one of those is very likely to inherit the office. We must elect leaders willing to work towards ending the electoral college and Citizens United. Until those are gone I seriously doubt that our votes really matter, which brings me back to my point-this year is just too late to enact any real reforms in the election system. If trump is ‘elected’ reforms and elections will be moot. It will take an entire generation to correct it. For those of us considering throwing our vote to an alternative-save it, that time is coming and that is of the essence to get that going now for 2028. This year are we going to elect Harris (essentially) or whatever MAGA wins trump’s attention- the one at shows him the most adoration and will promote anything and everything trump. The wise professor’s guidance is spot on.
You think opposing genocide is a "lofty principle"? This is why I feel like an alien in this country. What's happening in Gaza is happening to real people. It's not "the Middle East problem." It's children dying daily, and it's about to be hundreds of thousands of children and adults starving to death. Not only has Biden done nothing substantive to stop it, he's helped Israel do it. But I'm sorry if people's pesky moral values are getting in the way of the preferred election results.
I don’t disagree. Exactly what is your preferred election result?
The election is one day in November. What is your preferred result of every other day?
There isn't one. That's the problem.
My daughter was leaning this way. I explained to her that my compassion and empathy go out to the Palestine people, what is happening to them is uncalled for. I have to step back though and one can call it being selfish, but in November I have to think of our country. Of what happens if Trump gets back in office. What will he do to help the Palestine people or Ukraine for that matter.
Ask what he did to help the Kurds who were our allies. Complete betrayal. Trump doe snot like Muslims. I think the folks wanting to support the Palestinians forget his Muslim ban. Biden might not have policies they like, but Trump would support a scorched Earth policy by Israel.
Trump would be 100 times worse. Biden is asking for calm. Trump would ask for scorched earth.
I didn’t say Trump would be better. I said that Biden could lose because younger voters don’t want to vote for someone who is complicit in genocide.
And by the way, Netanyahu is basically Trump. Biden has circumvented Congress to send more weapons to Israeli Trump.
... because he's been played so successfully by Netanyahu and Iran (with Putin behind it all).
Go away.
“Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Your hair is like a flock of goats moving down the slopes of Gilead.”
— Song of Solomon, as quoted by Snoopy in Peanuts, 4/5/22
Definitely not sitting this election out. I voted in every election since I became a citizen. Many of my fellow Democrats have ‘unfriended’ Trump supporters on social media. Not me! I want to understand how they think. They are my fellow Catholics albeit misguided IMHO. Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer.
I’ll admit that, as a POC, I’m terrified about another term of Drumpf. His minions have set about dismantling DE&I initiatives and even private employers have begun to feel pressured to comply.
These are dreadful times, but we cannot abandon our hope for change.