1130 Comments

Just a matter of fact

Every day Trump is not incarcerated shows the rest of the world just how inept our system of justice is. I have heard the same thing over and over from many lawyers and law experts that “The Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly”, but this is ridiculous! It reminds me of my mom’s saying. “It’s slower than molasses in January!” It’s been 3 years since he incited an insurrection . Trump is continuing his conspiracy theory that the election was stolen!

The man’s been indicted four times and has 91 felony counts against him. He keeps trashing anyone and everyone he doesn’t like. President Biden, Judges, poll workers along with all Democrats! He has taken our 1st Amendment, Freedom of Speech, way over the limits intended!

How can this loser still be allowed to run around freely without consequences? It’s obvious to most of us that “Trump Is Above the Law!”

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I concur. The American Justice system has failed to bring Trump to justice. We are the laughing stock of the entire planet. Trump makes a mockery out of our legal system. Robert, you know as well as I do that if it were anyone else he would already be locked up. The only reason he isn't is because the Republicans are afraid of him and he has stacked the courts in his favor and that makes me ill. Trump is, as you have pointed out many times, the ultimate menace to our Democracy. He is a Facist and a wannabe Authoritarian Dictator. He scares the hell out of me and I am terrified that he is going to be on the ballot. I live in Douglas County Oregon and the commentary that I read online about Trump related articles scares me. There are more Trump supporters here than Biden supporters. The things they believe are outrageous! The lies! I wish I could share your Substack with all of them but I have to settle for my network of friends. Please keep up the great work! Your voice is so vital to our Democracy.

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Ramona, my question is (and no one has ever given me an answer) is what the hell are republicans afraid of? What? Do they think he will beat them up? Why are they afraid of this piece of excrement? He is a little man and he doesn't deserve anyone to be fearful of him! I am a 71 year old woman and he does not scare me in the slightest! I simply cannot accept that the reason he is still running around spreading vicious lies is because his party is scared of him? WHY?

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Jan 6Liked by Robert Reich

I think they’re afraid because their constituents want Trump, so they will be voted out and be replaced if they criticize Trump. And maybe lose some funding sources. It’s about maintaining power.

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Jan 6Liked by Robert Reich

Agreed but what kind of men do we have making decisions, that live in fear of losing a job. Character, integrity, and honesty are sincerely lacking in all of them. They are either wealthy or have excellent employment opportunities outside of politics, yet they are cowards. They either have no convictions or vote against them. The republicans are responsible for this orange bag of fat and wind and should never be voted to serve again, because they don’t serve.

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Yes I agree. My own congressional representative sends me newsletters full of hate and divisive vitriol against Democrats. I have replied a few times asking him to be less so to no avail. I no longer read his newsletters because they are so upsetting.

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That's my experience, in Florida, "represented" by Greg Steube.

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I am fortunate as I live in New York City and have decent representatives! I'm not crazy about our Major and did not vote for him!

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My same experiences with mine in Alabama although, I let them have a piece of my mind as well. Same with Tommy T and Britt.

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@ Cold and Prickly The Republicans could give a shit about you. and their constituents. They fear the loss of their donors and that Trump will "primary" them.

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I think of the children, and they were essentially children, storming Omaha Beach, or Iwo Jima, or scaling the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, and the cowardice of these politicians makes me both sick and infuriated. And, frankly, the dems aren't covering themselves with glory. They need to be making much much more noise, calling the republicans out for their treason—daily, making life difficult for the republicans, getting on nationwide tv, encouraging protests and marches, pushing registration drives, and making "good trouble."

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I agree, Gary, but Dems also need media coverage, & they don’t get it.

Not only that, instead of condemning the insanity, media promotes it.

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Sadly, the demanded compulsive outcry for 'civility' (and the self-aggrandizing praise., and above all else emphasis OUR side puts on that, versus the MAGAts) outweighs any 'hair on fire' urgency which is imperative on this brink of outright FASCISM, and our loss of any semblance of our country, or democracy. :( :(

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good trouble? like the 2 billion in arson and "mostly peaceful" Democrat BLM riots that killed 50 people?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sJZbKDy-Fk

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There are registration drives but before they are as effective as they must be, more voters and potential voters must be won over. The DNC has finally heeded the findings of neuroscience research led by Dr. George Lakoff and put out last month a thorough training session you can access online for communicating in ways that win over undecided voters. Those who've already become total MAGAs are hopeless. The link below is to a workbook that the Democratic National Committee's Grassroots Organizer Team is providing any Democrat who wants to read it in advance of a workshop.

I'm delighted to see the basis for this workshop: the DNC has recognized the necessity of talking with people in terms of traditional American values that are also progressive Democratic values. You don't have to register for the workshop to read it.

This is a seismic shift toward winning in 2024, up and down the ballot.

Here's the link:

https://www.buildingbridgesforamerica.com/_files/ugd/83edb8_bb6700ce65a044f6ae07dabb1e59fc46.pdf

Feel free to share with any friends who are also concerned and who want, even privately and independently with family and/or neighbors, to help them understand what Democrats actually stand for.

The workshop video is also online now: https://www.buildingbridgesforamerica.com/courses/say-this-not-that

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Republicans put themselves first (their egos are the only allowable consideration)

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Many people put themselves first.

But death threats are an issue too. Elsewhere on this page I have a link to a Vox article about death threats made to Reps.

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I read that Sen.Rick Scott who should in jail(for that huge Medicare scandal)paid approx. 54. million dollars for his seat(no doubt the campaign unless there's more to it.)What has he done for the American public,nada.He threatens earned benefits w/ a smile.Someone ought to stick their foot somewhere!!!

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so many examples of outright corruption (even among Dems, eg. NJ's Menendez)

Very few are in it for the Country - despite their speeches. I watched CNN's town hall with DeSantis and Haley and wanted to puke - they're saying what right-wing Iowans want hear - laying on the red meat. DeSantis said he wouldn't be "corrupt" like the "other guy", and Nikki said she "doesn't eat sleep and breathe politics" - Really? Well, if it were me, I'd promise to wipe out inflation, lower food and gas prices, clean up crime and homelessness, solve the immigrant "problem" (Haley said, to big applause, it'a war and as Commander-in-Chief she'd get the army to round up the "alien invaders" and throw them the hell out of "our country"). Oh yeah, and I'd lower your taxes too. Believe me.

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That’s why I am impressed with Liz Cheney’s integrity. I don’t agree with her politics but for her defense of the Constitution and our democratic republic.

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Liz Cheney's legacy will be the integrity she showed in standing up to Trump, in speaking the truth and defending the Constitution. Sad thing is, these should all be normal activities for elected officials.

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No one has been better at it.

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True Mike, but are you willing to give up your own well paid job for the sake of character, integrity and honesty? Easy to throw stones at others.

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Many people, my husband included, have given up jobs or the possibility of promotion for ethical concerns. There are still honest and moral jobholders in this country.

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You damn right I would especially when it’s part of the job. I would not break an oath to perhaps millions of people or sell out my country. One of our problems and perhaps the most damaging is we don’t expect anything out of the people we elect. Or hold them accountable. We are not talking about a disagreement on policy, we are talking about sabotaging the country. Wow!

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And that is part of the problem; government officials see it as their job, instead of an honor to be elected and represent the thoughts, values, needs and opinions of all the constituents they represent regardless of Red, Blue or Purple. Is it a coincidence that Hamilton the musical is making another run in 2023-2024? Hamilton wrongly believed that Burr had character and integrity and didn't believe Burr would actually shoot him.

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As has already been stated above, many to MOST of them are personally quite wealthy already (or could otherwise get/qualify for other, even higher paying jobs than Congress/Senate), and most (of the Repugnaf**k ones at least) certainly do NOT 'need' that job.

They are doing it for ego/megalomaniacal reasons, or are just outright sadists who enjoy existentially hurting/'crushing' the poor (or poorer than they are) 'little people'.

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No argument, Redmond Tight, that it’s easy to throw stones at others, but how many of US have cushy jobs that affect the welfare of the whole world, and the continuation of a 250-year-old national democracy?

How many of us would refuse to risk our cushy job if it required us to flush what is supposedly our beloved country down a Fascist Rat Hole?

That is the question you should ask….

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I would, in fact, make it a campaign issue, & if I go down in defeat, I would view it as a source of pride.

That this should even be in question shows how far down honor & honesty have diminished in value by our decrepit society.

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Are you, Redmond?

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If they had any decency or honor, they would stand up to him like many republicans did at the J6 hearings. Yes, they were replaced; however, I would wager they simply did not care as they would rather stand up for their country then bow down to a dictator!

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Like Liz Cheney! I don't like her politics however, she has courage and will do everything she can to prevent DT from winning again!

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Yes, there is a reason that the 'very low bar' of standing up for DEMOCRACY has now become sooo magnanimously praiseworthy.

It is simply BECAUSE said 'bar' has been lowered to beyond record depths by all of these squirming, acquiescent, spinelessly cowardice (or even the 'true believer' batshit psychotic fascist ANTI-democracy types there) pond scum in the (slight majority) Congress currently.

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Only power motivates many if not most leading Republican lights. All law school front doors thru which many Republican law makers have passed should have a sign over the front door that reads, “All who enter here, ditch the morality.” That is, if they have any to begin with.

'

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After what happened to Paul Pelosi and reading Mitt Romney's account of the expense of protecting his family, I suspect many of them fear for their lives. This is all I can think of to explain the position of Mike Pence and others who were at risk/

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Amen allleuia!!!

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It's alleluia I meant

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That's the reason as they are afraid of losing their job! So, find something else in the private sector! Get out! I will try as best as I can to get these people out. Next week, I am writing postcards to elect the Democrat who will take George Santos place. He was embarrassing to our Congress!

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I wrote postcards for Indivisible for the midterms,I believe we're doing that for the Nov. election.

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Taking over Facebook pages and twitter, telegram, instagram are more productive, but then there is Zuckerberg and Musk who will delete and ban.

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I write postcards too. They have proven to be effective!! We ALL have to do what we can to defeat trump/maga/gop!

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Jan 6·edited Jan 6

Yes, the elusive, and suddenly DISAPPEARING power they will themselves LOSE ANYWAY once their putrid orange sack of shit DESPOT takes totally unfettered power in this land FOR LIFE, with THEIR help of course.

So ironically, they will lose what they so desperately and obsessively seek while DESTROYING our country, let alone what very little is left of our actual democracy, in the process. :(

They are as much pieces of shit as their SCUMp fuehrer is, and quivering, sniveling, acquiescent, prostrating, inherently COWARDLY ones, at that!

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Maybe they are worried about his wrath & the wrath of his MAGA supporters. Look what happened to Cheney & Kinzinger. Kinzinger received death threats and had to have security. But when he was “primaried”, and no longer in office, he basically had no protection except his gun.

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I’m with Zapata. “I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees”. I bend a knee to no one but God.

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Some are also legitimately concerned about possible physical harm by lunatic Trump worshipers.

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Jan 6Liked by Robert Reich

Robert's substack of today and yesterday perfectly pull together where we are with democracy. Our side will prevail because it must.

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It's causing enormous anxiety but is more doable than we realize.Did anyone hear Pres. Biden's speech yesterday?(of course) Sounded masterful.Now is that the voice of a feeble old man? No way,I was so proud of him!!!

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The problem with Biden's speech is that they have been mellow, monotone, lacking passion and rage, thus boring and forgettable.

He lacks charisma. Hitler, Mussolini and Trump have passion and charisma, evil as it is, but effective and sucks in the crowd.

Just because evil uses and effective tool, does not men righteous should react and do the opposite. Hollywood and song writers know that the road to success is by copying that which works.

Biden can and should, and it appears that he has finally awakened and is using his speeches to agitate the lizard brain,and the corporate media, and even hosts on MSNBC don't like the new Biden, but eff them, they are the reason we had Trump 45, and will have (barring a miracle) Trump 47.

Biden kicked ass in Valley Forge and Montgomery Co, PA and I hope that he is just warming up. It is war, and it is hot, violence is being perpetuated by Trump humping idiots, and it will only get worse.

Buckle up.

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Listen to his speech yesterday. It will blow you away! Sounds like someone decades younger!!

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I don't find Biden boring at all. I find him poised and calm and ready to kick ass.

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Some of his recent speeches have shown some fire. I hope he continues in this direction, & that he employs some dynamic, eloquent & passionate speakers like Barack. & Michelle Obama, & Jamie Raskin. Even utilize Robert Reich in TV skits with his sketches to accompany his clear & concise arguments about what's wrong with today's politics, economics, society & environment & how Democrats can fix these problems.

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I used to go to the Dental Clinic at Montgomery County Community College to get my periodontal cleanings, not very far from where Joe gave that speech yesterday.

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And he said exactly what needed to be said.

We need to echo it.

And, point out the improvements in jobs, inflation, the economy, etc.

We have a world with bullies instigating unprovoked attacks, creating peril for everyone, everywhere. Hamas, Houthi, Hezbollah, Russia, North Korea, Syria, etc. One of the things I want most, in a leader, is SANITY. President Biden brings much, much, needed SANITY to seemingly impossible situations.

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Although the news media views this as boring, quite honestly, after 4 years of drama from 2016-2020, I'm relieved by a refreshing influx of so-called boredom! I'd like to see more coverage of SANITY!

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Thank you for that clear eyed and reasonable view of a wonderful man who loves our democracy.Lead pipes and junk fees,who ever cared about that? And he helps the American public w/ it.He's always working,not sitting around making money on our time.

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Well said. SANITY, INTEGRITY and STABILITY.

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Me too. He is one of the most accomplished President’s in decades and he gets no credit. Breaks my heart.

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I texted him (he provided me with his cell phone number). I strongly advised him to sound stronger, more powerful, even if he had to get a more powerful microphone.

I also told him he needed to stand up to Trump and not be so nice. I would like to think he took my advice!

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Pray hard to whatever power you fancy

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May the Flying Spaghetti Monster come down from the heavens to save U.S.!!

(Does that count??)

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Jan 6·edited Jan 6

I am on board with that idea.

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Absolutely.

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No god or gods, be it Jesus, Krshna, Osiris, Allah, Oden Quetzlcoatl has ever saved humanity form itself, or natural disasters, and if anything these gods are responsible for all of the misery and death brought down on humanity, cats, dogs, horses, cows, goats, gazelles, kangaroos and platypuses.

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Forget the gods, we're the evil.

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They're afraid of his well armed base and threats against their families. They're about the last card he holds in his hand.

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A family home in Ohio was recently fired on because the owner had the temerity to place an anti-Trump sign in his front yard. That in a very small nutshell defines too many Trump supporters.

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What cowards they are. They want to impose their will but they dont want to go to jail for it.

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The Nazi Party in this country is alive and well and goes by the name, the Party

of Trump.. Trump’s gun toting fascist supporters are renowned for threatening anyone who dares to criticize their Great Leader.

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You never hear about Democrats being violent and arsonists. Trump has unleashed violent fury.

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Like all POS fascists, who MUST bow to, and defend at ALL costs, their 'big daddy will take care of everything for them' scum DESPOT, their only answer, and the only response they know from, is life threatening violence.

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This is true,look how he threatened judge's families.That's the mark of a madman.We need super strong,effective messaging to point things like this out.

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founding

A lot in common with prisoners of Hesbola, you think?

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Hezbollah. Not holding hostages yet. That is HAMAS

Hezbollah is Shia and a word, t means Party of Allah.

HAMAS–the acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement)—is the largest and most capable militant group in the Palestinian territories and one of the territories' two major political

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founding

Thank you for correcting me. Clearly I'm way out of my depth on Middle East history and current events.

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Peggy, my guess is that he has extortionable dirt on them. think epstein, or trash of that nature. illicit/illegal sex, drugs, theft - all the things that drumpf engages in (glorifies) when committed by repugnant lawmakers (who seem to be in the majority of lawbreakers) - all those things can be used to extort, bribe, coerce them to do his bidding, under pain of exposure. I can't think of anything else to explain this insanity. The most obvious examples are lindsay graham, moscow mitch, and well, the entire repugnant senate. the longer they're in the senate, the more they're exposed to temptation. It takes a lot of work to cover up wrongdoing and lies, and the lies take on a life of their own and become impossible to control.

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I understand what you're saying, Paul. If these "conservative" politicians have behaved unethically or broken the law, they definitely should be exposed for their hypocrisy. They need to understand that even having 'dirt' on them, their country should always come first. Years from now, their lawlessness will be recorded in the history books anyway. If I were them, I would think about what history will say about them. Their families and descendants will be here long after. I would want them to be able to say, 'Yes, he/she made mistakes, but in the end he/she chose to stand up for Democracy'. I know it will never happen. I also know that most politicians today have been bought by the rich. That is the reason that I want to see laws passed that limit profoundly how much any corporation, CEO, or rich individual can give to any campaign. I also want to see that there is no possibility for corruption by stopping all of these gifts and perks these politicians are accepting. Just like with teachers, politicians should enter politics because they want to be of service to our country, not for how rich and powerful they can become.

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Public Citizen has been working on something to overturn 'Citizen's United"

According to Liz Cheney,Donald Trump will one day be gone(hopefully in the dungeon w/ a muzzle),but their dishonor will live on.

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So true, RedElisa! It will go down in the history books and they will not be kind.

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Think - Big Mac attack!

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Here here

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As regards history telling the story. Two true things

The victors write history., and they are rewriting as we speak, book banning, banning CRT and LGBT books and school curriculum

And to quote two Republican Senators when asked about their legacy.

"What do I care about legacy, I will be dead" Our historical hero's know nothing nor care about their legacy, neither do historical villains.

Only the heirs enjoy or suffer legacies.

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NO DOUBT aided, abetted, and supplemented by whatever his boyfriend Pootie has dug up on them via his evil FSB, etc.

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The results of the investigation of Epstein were unsealed, Trump was mentioned 5 times, Clinton 40 (a horn dog and frequent flyer) as wells David Copperfield, and another frequent flyer, Prince Andrew, there are over 200 names. Can't wait for an expose, but I am 100% sure that we will, as it certainly contains some rich and hence powerful men maybe even Musk,.

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Lee - I'm more interested in how many senators/congresspeople are implicated. supremes? justice dep't. notables? in other words, the puppets whose strings are pulled by the oligarchs, and who in rare moments of conscience might otherwise be motivated to do the right thing except for the unspeakable held over their heads.

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I understand, but google is your friend. Ask the google AI, or just go to opensecrets.org and type in a Congress critters name and you will see who finances them, and just as good as finance, who endorses themm the last takes more research and the ability to ask google AI the right questions.

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You make sense.

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They aren't afraid of Trump--they are afraid of what he might unleash--he could incite his base to attack them or their families; he could call them vile names and heap oppobrious disinformation on the unfortunate victim's head, and send it forth to the general public via the various media channels. Of course this only works on those for whom the office (plus the perqs & 'opportunities') is more important than their principles--oh, wait! I'm talking about the Republican Party here. No principles in sight.

The thing is...if they tried to stand up to him they might find that he's weaker than they think. Even one Rep or Senator standing up to the orange bully might damage him...and if the Repubs smelled blood in the water, you just know they would instantly turn into great whites and have themselves a feeding frenzy.

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I would like to think that we would protect these families from the slobbering idiots that blindly follow the little orange man!

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Yes! We control the choppers! Not them!

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Like one ignores a small child, these GOP, senators and representatives should be ignoring Donald Trump. Why are they even listening?

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I think it comes down to being a cult. Think of it this way. Trump is like the WWF star. He's mean, he's ornery, he likes to kick butt, he likes to curse and he likes to lie and, he likes to have the girls under his thumb . There are Republican legislators who Envy his ability to do that. Makes me wonder how many of them are graduates of trump University. Anyway.. they adore this WWF star and they want to be just like him. That's it the cult of trump.

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That may be so, S. Howard, but I have yet to see or hear of the little orange man kick anyone's butt!! He talks a big talk but I don't think he could hold his own with a 90 year old, 100 lb grandma hell bent on beating the shit out of him!!!

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This jerk has a squad of goons ready to attack, even with a hammer, anyone he likes. That's what his cult members like. But I agree with your sentiment. By himself he is just a rag doll with a broken neck.

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Ha! Ha! Good one!

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What's gonna happen when someone catches him in the shower?Just sayin.

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Maybe someone will kick his someday,there's all kinds of big dudes in prison who'd gladly oblige just to stay in shape.To me ,if he's convicted,we should take away the'Secret Service' buddies,that's on our dime and I don't like it,it's undeserved.

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Trump will buy the prison, every thing and every one is for sale if the price is right. and what will the prison do with his Secret Service agents?

Wasn't it Al Capone who had a huge cell, with guards acting as waiters, special meals and wine. The Feds did him in though, but sending him to Alcatraz,

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You're really on to something here. Republicans in general and Trumps base in particular are all about worshiping a powerful leader. Trumps power is his (percieved) wealth. He's really a terrible businessman, but he has taken the posture of a great success. Much like little boys become enamored with the WWF stars they see as some ideal of masculinity Trumps base sees him as the American success they wish they could be. There was never any good reason to believe the election was stolen except "great leader" said so. Those that stormed the capital were a herd of sheep. Republicans fall in line, trying to find a sense of power in a collective, with democrats it's like herding cats, a bunch of individualistic thinkers all wanting to go their own way.

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Looks like Judge Engoron and AG Leticia James are putting him out of commission in New York.The wheels are turning!

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Trump is stupid, but is street smart, he is a sociopathic psychopath, he is not restrained by morals or a conscience, he has none and as you know a malignant narcissist, when his cult sees him, they see themselves, he is their avatar and that includes, especially, the Plutocrats that have and are financing him.

The editorial staff of New York papers would get a laugh, as he called in posing as John Barron, extolling the wealth and success of Donald Trump.

And like a narcissist he named his youngest son Barron.

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YES, that incident alone, which happened LONG LONG ago, should be enough psychotic behavior to disqualify the putrid orange lump of feces from any position of any importance at all.

But his blood oath loyal, adoringly devoted, MAGAt brown shirt 'army' would see it as their fuehrer being 'smart'. [puke]

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founding

Why do we go on so about what motivates fascists in America today? Didn't Hannah Arendt spell it out clearly enough? Well, actually of course she didn't or we'd all be citing her daily. But where is it getting us to spend time wondering why fascists are fascists?

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True and overuse of words as pejoratives lose their edge., and are easily rebutted. Take a look at the word genocide, it is used as slur, and hurled as an accusation with no foundation in fact, because it's primary purpose is to shape public opinion.

Fascism is losing it's edge, Trump is calling us fascists, he and his humpers call antifa(scists) fascists.

Frank Luntz, who learned is craft from Goebbels, is an expert at newspeak, using words as weapons, Roger Ailes crafted the effective tacic of turning a strength into a weakness.

Having learned from the Swift Boating of John Kerry, he called a war hero ,Max Clelland, who lost three limbs, a coward for opposing criminal Dubyas invasion of Iraq.

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founding

Your depth of knowledge on this is impressive. By this I suppose I mean the use/maluse of words by propagandists old and new.

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I am not wondering WHY the effing brown shirts are POS NAZIS, just wondering HOW do we fight them (PHYSICALLY, if needs be, and it comes down to that!), and beat them back into their rotting logs, and under rocks hiding places. ??

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founding

My comment probably shouldn't be directed at you. It was a general trend I saw all down the stack. If it comes down to it I also will see my duty to defend.

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Like one ignores a petulant child, these GOP, representatives and senators should be ignoring Donald Trump. He isn’t in office they have given him the power.

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They continue to give him power!! That's what truly stumps me! Now, they have a chance to get rid of this idiot for good and what do they do? They keep letting him do whatever he wants because they don't want to lose his base. I truly wish they would determine if his base is so important that they would rather go down with the ship than stand up for America!! It is so maddening, frustrating, and just plain sad.

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Peggy, I don't understand it either! I am a 64 year old woman and he doesn't frighten me in the least either. I just don't understand it.

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The easiest examples are non republican Ruby Freeman and Shay Moss who were doxxed and approached multiple times having to leave their house for all the threats they were getting. These and the doxxing against the Colorado justices and the Maine secretary of state are reinforcing the republicans fear of offending the "boss". You step out of line we dox your house and send people to harrass or hurt your family. Trumps is a simple system. He attacks his enemy on Truth social. He has a stooge of his find and post their address on Truth social and then Trump Reposts that information to his base. The base goes apeshit and phones, texts spams and harrasses them at theie house. Democrat or Republican disobedience gets the same punishment.

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In a just world, that behavior would be illegal and have stiff penalties.

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I am a big believer in logic statements as I program things. If Dox then Violence/Intimidation then the Doxer, reposters and the Violent get summons/jail time.

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We need to stuff him in a dungeon and pretrial confinement might be nice.Who's in charge,us or him?

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You know we would be in pretrial detention for an offense if we couldnt cough up the cash guilty or not.

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Trump may not frighten you, but his gun toting supporters will when they point their guns at you. And believeyoume, that’s what’s coming. January 6 was only a dress rehearsal for what’s to come.

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They may be surprised at the amount of liberal gun owners in America. Hope for the best & pass the bullets.

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I pray that you are wrong, but I fear that the worst is yet to come. If Trump is removed from the ballot his followers are going to go crazy and if he's convicted they are going to riot. Either way we have a huge problem on our hands. He is not going to go down quietly. I think that is part of the reason the wheels of justice are turning so slowly. Fear of fallout. His followers are unreasonable. They believe the Big Lie and that they are fighting on the right side. The extent some of these people have been brainwashed and indoctrinated is so frightening. They are willing to kill or die for him. We very well could have a Civil War. The Country is so divided.

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Many Trump supporters like nothing better than threatening the use of their guns on people who have the temerity to say ANYTHING critical of their hero. Trump knows this and supports his soon-to-be jack booted bully boys who attempt to intimidate anyone who opposes him and his fascist ways. Germany’s Nazi Party of thugs and criminals has been born again in herr Trump and his psychopathic followers.

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It's like a Jim Jones type effect,I remember how congressmen in Calif. were giving money and property to that maniac.We need superstrong messaging to 'deprogram' them.What kind of'wonderful person' would tell people who were already scared and confused about the Covid to take bleach?Yesterday I read something about hydroxychloroquin,another winner!

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Jan 6·edited Jan 6

THE ultimate reason those fascist pieces of shit in power are all against ANY and ALL weapon legislation, and their unlimited 'interpretation' of 2A (even more so than to support their weapons manufacturers and get their campaign donation kickbacks).

They want and NEED their batshit insane, loyalist brown shirts heavily armed for threatening/intimidation purposes, if not for actual butchering 'action'.

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A little melodramatic - another reason why men shouldn't have the vote :-)

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Are you on Mars?

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PUTIN, THEY ARE AFRAID OF PUTIN. He has owned that party for twenty years.

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Lorraine, that alone should have normal and sane republicans finding a different party to belong to. I can't stand Putin anymore than I can stand the little orange man!!

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Normal and sane Republicans are Never Trumpers and the Lincoln Project, but I am as wary of them as I am of Liz Cheney, they are William Buckley, Jr's conservatives, idolize Ronald Reagan, toadies of corporations., want to roll back so called "entitlements" and are libertarians, not social libertarians but financial libertarians mavens of the phony"free market"

And whether they admit it or not, Trump and his cult are the products of their ideology and political power.

However in times like these, the enemy of my enemy (my frenemy) is my friend.

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Hillary WAS (and IS) correct in stating that Vlad The Impaler is SCUMp's puppetmaster!

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Yes. Aren't there back rooms where they can agree on what they agree on and move forward on it without Trymp....Don't look at him Don't answer him. They can push their nasty agenda without him.

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I agree. They aren’t afraid they are in favor of his tactics. They are anti democracy. They are outright telling us this regularly. Vote Blue

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It is a most fascinating question isn't it? Does he have damaging dossiers on each and every one of them? More likely, they realize they will not get elected without his base. They thus are willing to sellout our democracy to stay in office. This is beyond cowardice, it's treason.

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Do you remember what happened to Paul Pelosi? Deranged Zealots attacking you or your loved ones is something to fear. Also I believe Trump has the backing of the Russian mob, and they have "dirt" on many politicians. These are very scary times and we need to stand up and fight the good fight.

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As Trump has done to so many, he lies, he ruins, he may have a morsel of embarrassing dirt on someone and blow it into unimaginable awfulness, he is relentless, he torments, he threatens...Trump is Satan personified, pure evil. On the flip side, he has half of our country ready to murder for him. No way to explain this except soulless EVIL, that is what people fear AND the believable reality that nobody can stop him. I fear for my grandsons, in so many ways.

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Deb, I know what you mean. I don't want my grandchildren to grow up in a dictator regime. I want them to know what it means to be free. trump aggravates and annoys me, but I am not afraid of him. If his followers feel they need to kill people for him, I feel very sorry for them. I am not a violent person; however, I want back down either. I hope and pray every night that everything will work out and we will come out of this mess better and stronger than before. Hang in there!

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How Where's-my-jacket Jim Jordan becomes chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is another truly frightening aspect of US politics.

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Jan 6Liked by Robert Reich

Some did not speak up for personal fear theur lives would be destroyed.

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The only thing to fear is fear itself. Their lives will be destroyed because they cowered, if Trump is re- elected!

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To be fair, some people actually ENJOY being dominated. Even if the one doing the dominating has NEVER achomplished ANYTHING. [sic]

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Yes you are absolutely correct. David Koresh, Jim Jones, Bonnie Nettles and Marshall Applewhite, Comet Hale–Bopp! Trump has a very large flock.

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In reference to the Supreme Court,it's occurred to me he could shut them down too,he wants total control and doesn't want to be ruled on.Give him a Burger King hat.

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He WILL shut them down, possibly even 'eliminate' them (physically), yes, even the devout loyalist ones there, once he is in total and unfettered, uncontrolled power, like he DEMANDS to be. ;)

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I agree that our DOJ is pathetic. Even in Brazil, 2 corrupt Presidents (Lula and Rousseff) went to jail. Our justice system is definitely worse than the one in Brazil

A conman like Trump should have been jailed long time ago if the wheels of justice had worked as they should. What amazes me the most are Trump's supporters who consider him being "persecuted". Idiocy has NO limits!!

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As stated before; the imbeciles in the flick "Idiocracy" make these brain dead MAGAts seem like supra-MENSA members, by comparison! ;)

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I believe they think that because he says it so often,which brings to mind a scene I saw of him sitting in a courtroom(many years ago w/ real hair) singing the 'witch hunt' song.That one is pretty damn old and some bozos still fall for it.

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It reminds me what Joseph Goebbels used to say: "a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth" This is exactly what Trump is doing. He doesn't hide his nazi ideology because he is proud of it.

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OF COURSE!

Even his very own 'minister of propaganda', Goebbels lookalike, Stephen Miller (who ironically was raised in the Jewish faith) uses this fascist tactic to maximal effect.

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Unbelievable that a Jew like Steven Miller is a neo-nazi. It seems surreal but it's the "new" normal in our country.

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Because the moneyed elite in this country are in charge now.

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We will deal w/ this poor excuse for a human ,even though the timing is way off!

Prof. Glen Kirschner(former federal prosecutor for 30 yrs.) sits in those courtrooms and mentioned on his podcast(Justice Matters) that he WILL be convicted on all 4 counts and jailed.I pray about this everyday.What good does he offer our beloved nation or the rest of humanity?Zip! Tax credits aren't good enough!

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The court stacking has been done over decades by Mitch McConnell. He was the mastermind of that with this historic moment in mind

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Yes. This has been in the making for decades.

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I fear that Garland is either entirely inept, or he is bent.

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Garland is a right winger Gary, he was vetted to Obama, who needed a win at any cost, by Orrin Hatch R-Ut, the most right wing Senator of that time, and he had worked as a moderator for the Federalist Society

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It’s interesting that you have these opinions coming from Douglas County, Oregon. My parents used to live there and I always thought of rural Oregon being far right conservative.

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I believe that they were called loyalists was because they were tied to one man and would walk off a cliff if he asked them to. I call them what they are insurrectionists and traitors to the United State of America!

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Professor Reich erroneously stated that the Gop is DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO BECOMING a cult. It HAS BEEN a cult for YEARS.

There are ZERO other facets to the Trumplican party other than kowtowing and surrendering one's entire being to Dear Leader.

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How do I subscribe?

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Let Fox give Trump a co-host job or a podcast or his own show! He belongs on TV. Today I listened to clips from Iowa ralleys and found his remarks excellent fodder for TV entertainment. Formerly I agonized about his words being totally out of line for

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I watched the events of 1/6 unfold but what really was unsettling to me was the obvious enjoyment Trump was experiencing as his moronic mob stormed the capital in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump's intentions carried more weight than he might have thought. The desire to treat Mike Pence in the same manner the British dealt with Nathan Hale left me horrified. Those people who smashed their way into the capital weren't Americans wanting a guided tour, those animals defecated in our country's capital, and no they didn't use the toilets. I don't understand how anyone who called themselves Americans could desecrate what lies at the heart of this country. They spit on 250 years of history that has been nourished by the blood of countless men and women who gave their lives to an idea that the insurrectionists couldn't understand if their guide would have given them a handbook as they entered the building. The fools that followed the treasonous directions of Trump as they descended upon the capital should be forced to undergo the same educational requirements immigrants struggle with as they learn about this country's history and what it takes to become a citizen. The lost members of our own society that attacked what lies at the heart of this country, basically attempted to eviscerate the dreams of every honest American who sees this country as a signpost of what others might strive to develop within their own countries. Trump wants what Hitler failed to realize, and he won't stop until "we" stop him. Donald Trump is nothing more than a pig in an expensive suit, that he didn't earn the money to pay for.

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founding

I take issue with calling him 'a pig in an expensive suit". this is an insult to pigs,. See "Babe" the movie,

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David--- I loved Wilbur as well.

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Trump was, is and always will be a psychopath (or sociopath if you prefer.) He's criminally insane and the community of mental health professionals widely agree.

Sometimes you have to accept that there are not rational reasons for irrational behavior.

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Chips--I agree but what bothers me, and a world of others is why are there so many lost members of our own society completely absorbed in his lunacy.

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Excellent,and that pig party 3 yrs. ago cost us 30 million to clean up.Scenes of the guardsmen sleeping on the floor stayed w/ me.That guy w/ dirty feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk.She must have flipped out.I would have been seething.

It's like he reads and/or hears things ,then his demented mind goes on a mission and gets sicko ideas.He'll be on the slopline someday serving chow.What I'd really like to do is freak him out by showing him the reality of life and major community service besides prison,send him to a children's hospital to see sick children,to an animal shelter to see lonely animals,to a nursing home to see sick,lonely people,God works in mysterious ways.

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Red--We all make mistakes, maybe Trump is God's.

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founding

Earn, no, stole is the word. I'm curious: at what point in the insurrection did the food throwing happen?

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Les--When he ordered seconds.

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Agreed Jan 6 insurrections should be getting actual history lessons with tests.

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Insurrectionists (aka terrorists) and their leaders (tRump and his cabal) should have been arrested, convicted and incarcerated for the rest of their lives. In the past, they were hunted down and hung in the public square. Whatever your feelings about the punishment, the fact remains these people are terrorists and should be treated like every other terrorist. When they chose to overthrow the US government, they forfeited their rights of citizenship. Everyone should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, but they most certainly do not deserve any deference whatsoever. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has been hijacked by right wing zealots who are operatives for the wealthy oligarchs bent on establishing a plutocracy.

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AND will release the "hostages" on Day1...

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David--How long did the Iranians hold our hostages.? This is an imperfect situation controlled by imperfect men. Hell bent on creating a perfect world. The only thing you can count on is innocent people will die.

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👏bravo!

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Linda--The encore is coming.

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What do you mean that Trump wants what Hitler failed to realize? That seems like an absurd comment for a host of reasons.

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Jeff--absurdity lies in the eyes of the beholder. What I said makes perfect sense. Trump is a Hitler clone, and the 4th Reich is his desire here in this country. If you can't see that reality you need to take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself this question, Am I really that naive?

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Maybe, if you provide some reasons, I could better understand why you think the way you do, Jeff.

For the record, Trump's pattern of development and the strategies he employs are remarkably similar to Hitler's.

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Power Corrupts - Why do you denigrate the reputation of a very brave woman - a hero to the slaves she helped rescue? And then mock her beliefs.

Facts about Harriet Tubman include:

She was an escaped enslaved woman who became a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, leading enslaved people to freedom before the Civil War.

She was never caught during her 13 dangerous missions to lead her friends and family out of slavery.

She never learned to read or write, but was smart, calculating, and bold.

During the Civil War, she became the first woman to lead an armed military raid in June 1863.

She was also a Union scout, spy, and nurse.

She conducted the Combahee River Raid which set free 700 slaves.

On March 1869 when Harriet was about 59 years old she married Nelson Davis who was 22 years younger. They spent the next 20 years together.

Learn more:

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Facts are facts, Everyone's face has a blemish, There are no saints and martyrs except in religion. We lionize the founding fathers, despite the fact that most if not all were slave holders. When one tries to hide the blemishes, that only encourages those that would defame the subject to dig harder.

So Harriet was delusional, so was Joseph Smith, but with that delusion he founded a powerful and wealthy cult called Latter Day Saints.

Hitler was delusional and destroyed Germany and the lives of millions.

Not all delusions are disastrous, though many are ruinous

Some like Harriet Tubman's was disastrous for the slave states.

I personally think that Harriet Tubman was remarkable, considering her origins and trials. Quite the role model I say, warts and pimples and all.

Hero's come in all sizes, shapes, colors, backgrounds and abiliies or disabilities. So do villains.

I respect her more for everything she was.

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I wish I could say that I trust God to keep Trump out of the White House in 2024.

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Jan 6Liked by Robert Reich

It's not God's responsibility, it's ours.

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The election of 2024 will come down to a vote, cast for a man that desires to destroy a country as opposed to one who wishes to nurture it.

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The mere fact that tRump became president is proof enough that God has no say or any power over human actions. If you believe in God, then presumably you believe in the Devil. Trump is the devil incarnate, at least metaphorically.

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Jan 7·edited Jan 7

Which god, so many gods so little time.

No god has ever interceded in the life or affairs of humans.

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Jan 6·edited Jan 6

As a non-believer, I cannot even make this statement at all, and realize that it is up to U.S. (or at least the democracy craving, mostly sane, beings in the U.S.) to do this, and save whatever is left of our (sort of, at least idealistically) democratic republic. ;)

Sorry, but despite the theologists' (or theocrats') arguments otherwise, to me at least, IF there were any such entity as a 'benevolent god', there would never exist evils such as; Hitler, Putin, SCUMp, et al, ad nauseum, their devout, equally as evil followers/worshipers, or any of the other sadistic, purely demonic, abjectly inhuman(e) despots all throughout human history, since the dawn of our species on this globe. ;)

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Would there be a god, then it is a pscyhic vampire, and the earth is it's garden. It would be nourished by the perpetual pain and suffering inflicted on it's creatures. Mostly being eaten alive the rodent eaten by the cat, the anquish caused by the disease ridden and hungry, the pain of people being burned alive, beheaded . Those who die an instant death, provide no nourishment, those kept alive on a ventilator are a constant source of nourishment

There is a god that has more credibility than a merciful god.

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Are you on Mars?

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founding

Anything that works right now, you know.

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Oy Vey

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Jan 6·edited Jan 6Liked by Robert Reich

Keith Olson ; Even without the insurrection, there is the fact of his taking and viewing Highly Classified documents. He most likely shared some of them, too. That alone should have put him away for a significant amount of time. there are those serving undercover as agents who have been killed, most likely as a result of his traitor behavior.

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Laurie - Very true but the Florida judge is happily slow walking the classified documents case. Funny how tfg doesn’t go after her like he does the others. In my opinion she has been bought and paid for since he is the one who put her on the bench. The Senate needs to continue to approve as many judges as possible before the election.

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Anon ; Justice should not allow that sycophant to openly aid and abet the traitor! It is obvious that she has an agenda. It should not be considered 'partisan' to save our country from evil like Donald Trump! May be that they know that he is disqualified and will be gone from politics in the U.S.A.!! ❤😀

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Laurie - I am in total agreement with you. Just remember that when all else fails for trump to delay whatever trial his next move will be to fire his attorneys for that case so he can delay some more. He has gotten very good, after all these years, with delaying (and denying) Justice. The American people deserve to watch his trials Before the election so they can see the evidence for themselves and then decide whether to support such a despicable man.

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The judges are on to him,Judge Chutkin is not having it in her courtroom.

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Or has she been threatened?

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Still Learning, I doubt he or his minions have threatened her because she is doing exactly what they want!

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Peggy, It's likely that she would not want