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The Putin Party are behind it!

Russia Ramps Up Attacks In Ukraine As U.S. Republicans Abandon Ukraine

Russia has fired cruise missiles targeting Kyiv, the Capital of Ukraine!

This latest attack comes as Russian State TV is actively praising our Republican lawmakers in the United States for obstructing attempts by Democrats to pass additional aid to Ukraine.

And Putin’s Bitch, Donald Dictator, is directing the Republicans! Half of our government is aiding and abetting Russia! Once again, Republicans are siding with Vladimir Putin instead of protecting our allies abroad. 

From Heather Cox Richardson:

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has disappeared. His lawyer says he was told Navalny was “no longer listed” in the files of the prison where he was being held, and Navalny’s associates have not been able to contact him for six days. 

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Keith Olson ; "our Republican lawmakers in the United States" should have been removed from their seats for aiding the coup, and continuing to betray their oaths of office. Why nothing like that has happened shows a weakness in our defense of our "homeland'.

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Dec 12, 2023Liked by Robert Reich

Laurie Blair, thanks for the grave reminder. Lest we forget that they need to be held accountable for their treasonous part in the coup attempt. I'm so disappointed that they haven't. They were and are a danger to America and the Constitution.

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They are a pox on our attempt to have self rule, and a threat to our Democratic Republic.

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M Tree, it seems We the People can't get action on holding any of the perpetrators of the insurrection responsible. In fact, the media often won't even refer to Jan. 6th as an insurrection, just a riot, as though it is of the same importance as a couple of gangs fighting. I still wonder what the media thinks it will gain from this irresponsible reporting, but I haven't been able to figure it out. It can't just be advertising because reporting on the realities of Jan. 6th and more front page coverage for example of our new Speaker's role in the insurrection could get attention and be helpful in getting at least some independents to pay more attention to what is going on around them and start supporting Democrats. The Republicans have pretty much given up on our democracy in favor of a child-man who cares nothing for them or anyone else, just money and power, oh yes, and revenge.

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Ruth Sheets, well said! The large number of people who claim to be patriotic but don't really believe in Democracy (in the last 8 years, I've taken to capitalizing it to show its importance) shocks me. It is so illogical. How can people be against the best form of government and fairness? How can people want a child-man, as you say? Perfect word, Ruth! I love it. And all the boot lickers seem to be child-men also.

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M Tree, I don't know either. I can't believe people are that ignorant of the world and what Trump and Kump are like. I honestly don't understand the lure of autocracy. Who the heck wants to live under a dictator? It never works well and one just needs to read a little history to realize that is true.

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Ruth Sheets, I think some people have a very strong need, perhaps obsessive, to harm people and/or prove their superiority over others. And their associated thoughts and emotions don't leave much room to allow rational thinking in.

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Ruth Sheets, exactly, it never works out well, is what I've learned from history. Eventually, the dictator imprisons you, exiles you, or chops off your head and you don't get to choose which.

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founding

Churchill said democracy isn't perfect but it is the best form of government we have. Seems GOP Trumpees prefer to be tyrannical. A dictator to rob and kill them if they look the wrong way or some one they love does.

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founding

I feel a lot of supporters of Trump are seeking power cause they have none in life. Mental midgets. I worry about my family supporting him. Can I trust them? Lies and treason okay with them.

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Judith Stevens, us humans are pretty good at justifying and rationalizing our wrong behaviors, unfortunately.

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Maybe they went after the violent mob first, putting them in prison before tackling the big ones. They saved the biggest, baddest one (Trump) for last.

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What?? our lawmakers who helped with the treasonous act should of been held accountable from the day after.

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Julie, heck, they didn't even arrest any of the insurgents the day of the crime. We all know if those insurrectionists had been black, there would have been blood on the floors and walls of our Capitol. OK, Black Americans would not even have attacked our Capitol , but had they, it would been a blood bath. No arrests! And, some of the convicted insurrectionists running for office. We have decided somehow that the 14th amendment is irrelevant, particularly section 3. That is a problem that needs to be addressed, but when and by whom?

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Ruth Sheets ; By the Supreme Court and hopefully, before the election. TFG should at least be required to clear his name. But he is disqualified to run for office of any kind in government. It is a disservice for them not to do this well before the '24 election!

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How could they arrest the insurgents that day when Trump made certain there were not enough officers to handle the insurrectionist?? They were getting beaten and killed by them!

It took time to identify them with their cameras. I think they did an AMAZING job doing so. And it SENT a MESSAGE that worked!

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But they weren't and for that we have Merrick Garland, and the ameliorater, bi-partisan president who appointed him and won't fire him.

Trump would not be a threat if the DNC and President would do their job and defend Democracy, other wise the enemies of democracy will use democracy to destroy democracy, and it has happened before and is happening now. Sinclair Lewis wrote in the 1930's, It Can't Happen Here

Sarah Churchwell just wrote Fascism in America: It Has Happened Here.

https://www.nybooks.com/online/2020/06/22/american-fascism-it-has-happened-here/

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founding

Bipartisanship is crap. Clinton, Obama and now Biden? No wonder we are in deep trouble. People on the other side of the isle lying and trying to destroy democracy is okay? When they say the American people want the parties to work together...that is bull. They never asked me.

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Marlo, yes, thank you. Let's hope justice will be served eventually.

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founding

I'm still hoping.

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That's exactly right. I even heard someone on TV back when the prosecutions were beginning, who described the plan. You start with the base and offer immunity for actionable information. Then you work your way up through the plentiful middle and offer the same, until all the gathered evidence is pointing to the last responsible person at the top.

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If you don't take down the base, the enablers, then it comes back again in full force with lessons learned. J6 was a rehearsal.

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founding

Like the WTC attack when Clinton was president was practice for 911 disaster and lies.

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Sandra, that would only work if Trump does not get back in office. If he does, all bets are off. He will pardon himself and all of the crazies who participated. How is it possible a president can pardon himself and people who helped him commit crimes? I don't think the founders had that in mind, in fact I am sure they didn't. However, our Supreme Court "originalists" will make up some kind of excuse that they really did think it OK for a president to pardon himself and his fellow criminals. I am sure Johnny Roberts will think of something he thinks is brilliant.

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founding

The Trump appt. judges on the Supreme Court were rewarded for them storming the recount area in Florida to stop it. The Supreme Court gave the election to Bush. Gore won if they had finished the state count. It was a ridiculous ruse all around.

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founding

AG Garland has failed us on many levels. Two years dragging his feet has resulted in Trump free for over three years and running for president. A traitor and coup leader.

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founding

Trump stacked the government before he left power with enemies of the American people.

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Judith Stevens, yes, very sad.

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Who would gain from the impeachment of President Biden? No one you would want to see who is out there waiting to replace him. When you remove the top contender from a race you open the door for less qualified individuals to ooze their way into the track. To force Biden from the running would give a decided advantage to anything Trump. Negativity is an illness the Republicans feel they must spread in order to win in 2024. The Republican position is weak due to the lack of qualified Candidates in the field. Who in their right mind would ever support an ideology that is determined to undermine the fundamental values that gave birth to the very freedoms we enjoy today. The current Republican party is as foreign in their thinking as any alien entity ever to infect the people of our country. Remove the good and you make way for the bad, and the resurrection of Donald Trump will be complete. Merry Christmas. Look at it this way, it's "Clean "coal the kids will find in their stockings.

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It is obvious that tRump is doing his 'retribution' thing , I hope the Supreme Court upholds our Constitution , and soon!

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Laurie--The Supreme Court is suffering from an identity crisis. After their decision that overturned a 50-year-old precedent the court is determined to bolster its weakened image. They know support for Trump is becoming a negative move both politically and socially. The Supreme Court will follow the rule of law as it applies to the EX- President's first amendment's rights. If they follow any other path their creditability will never again reach the levels known to the court prior to the Trump era.

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Donald Hodgins ; You are right there! ; They 'stepped in it' with the Bush v Gore decision. Citizens United too. I bet there are more bad calls too. But the latest is the "Greatest"..not! But presently, they need to 'redeem" themselves, in my opinion! What are they there for? rubber stamp for the wealthy?!?

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"It is obvious that tRump is doing his 'retribution' thing."

Every MAGAT House member should have been placed on the record:

1. Asked point blank whether they accept Trump's Big Lie.

2. . Did they confer with Trump?

MAGAT Mike on the record 2019: Impeachment would cause irreparable harm to the country: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/12/12/mike-johnson-impeachment-biden-trump-kfile-ebof-vpx.cnn

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Laurie--If you can see it and I can see it, why can't others see the danger of having the country's highest court caving into public pressure instead following the rule of law.

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A chill in the air--

Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>

10:12 AM (0 minutes ago)

Winter is approaching and there is an apparent chill in the air, but the shivers derived from how we currently feel don't come from the outside temperatures, they emanate from a sickness brewing within our country. Democracy, our Democracy, is suffering from a form of public lunacy stemming from a blind allegiance to Donald Trump. Good people that I've known all my life, and I do include immediate family members, have lost their ever-loving minds. Trump is a "Pig" and that is being kind. When I look at his face I can't tell if I'm looking at a clone of Capone, a reincarnation of Hitler, or something new and far worse. The man epitomizes everything this country considers to be evil and subversive. So why the attraction? It's like moths to a flame, our own people can't see the danger surrounding everything this man touches. He is like a backward "King Midas." Everything the guy touches turns to crap. Hence, his desire to maintain a close proximity to a water closet. Even if we remove him from the political arena he has successfully infected so many others with his stupidity it's as if Ham'as has opened a store here in this country, and Donnie Boy is the proprietor. Trump is an ideas man, but the trouble with that understanding is all of his ideas smell like they have been covered with the oil of "Musk." To allow an idiot like Jones back on Twitter is a national disgrace. But everyone associated with Trump falls into that category. If Trump succeeds in reentering the White House the group of followers, he picks to become his cabinet will resemble the goon squad that trailed behind Hitler as 60,000,000 people died during the second world war. History tries to teach us the lessons forgotten by the past; will we be smart enough to listen?

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Yes, Laurie,as far as I can tell

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And you believe they are concerned about credibility? I haven't seen any decisions that indicate it.

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William--I would think they would be interested in reestablishing a portion of what they lost.

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Agree but not holding my breath.

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Anon ; They ARE slow! You would turn blue, and not in a good way.

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I hold no such hope, Look at all their right wing rulings, from racism and religion to money and politics.

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founding

Very soon. How about today?!

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If the House impeaches Biden, there will be a trial in the Senate, presided over by Chief Justice John Roberts, in which they will have to present actual evidence. There is no way they will convince 67 senators to vote to convict him. There may even be some Republicans who vote against conviction. If Chuck Schumer, who is a lawyer, is clever about it, he can make the House impeachment managers look like fools. Mere impeachment does not prevent Biden from running for reelection.

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Carolyn--The brain trust in the Republican camp, if you can even call it that, isn't concerned with convicting Biden they just want to throw as much negativity in the faces of the American people as possible with the intent of smearing the President's image to the point where votes will begin to wander.

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I understand. As with Trump's infamous 2019 phone call to Ukrainian president Zelensky, the accusation's the thing. But Republicans have been investigating Biden since they took control of the House in January, and have already convinced the gullible that he is corrupt. I don't know that a formal impeachment inquiry will do that much more damage. But they need to put up or shut up. I personally would enjoy seeing Jim Jordan, James Comer, and Elise Stefanik face withering questions from savvy senators.

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Carolyn--When you arrange that save me a seat.

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Totally agree. How about we each write to all our MoCs and tell them:

"PUT UP OR SHUT UP" about President Biden.

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Hm, but if two impeachments and 91 felonies didn’t hurt Trump, why would one impeachment hurt Biden? (Not that I want to see it happen; I don’t.) I’m being ironic.

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Paula--It is just a part of the plan to throw as much negativity at the public as they possibly can.

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Thankfully there are not 67 senators that will vote to convict. What a House impeachment proceeding will do is draw attention away from tRump’s trials and throw mud on Biden. Given the slim House majority of MAGA treasonists and Greed Over People enablers, all bowing to the Orange Anti-Christ, the House will impeach. The Senate is required to suspend all other business and proceed with a trial. Using this timeline the Rethuglicans can blame Biden’s supposed misdeeds as the reason for non-movement of more pressing matters through Congress (remember those ticking time bomb budget CR’s). I doubt the Rethuglicans want a President Harris, but would relish the thought of her as even a weaker candidate than Biden. And what of a VP vacancy under the 25th Amendment? The current House would pull a Mitch McConnell election year stunt and sit on a nomination, leaving MAGA Moses Mike Johnson next in line for the Presidency. Could we even trust the Secret Service, even with an extra double duty around Harris to protect her day and night from a gun happy January 6’er looking for MAGA fame and glory?

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They just want to throw mud on Biden. Their MO.

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founding

May the mud come back to haunt them. Mud always does.

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Mario--That is exactly their intent. And the mud came from under Mar-A-Largo.

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Mud-a-Lago.

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Paula--Love the cat, mine is about to be 22 this Spring.

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Donald as it stands at the moment, Biden will lose, because special interest groups have said that they are disappointed with the Democrats and President, because they haven't had all of their demands met.

Young people students, Muslims, black males, Hispanic males, have already showed their petulance by announcing that they are either sitting out the election, voting for a third party and even voting for Trump.

I hope they enjoy the 4th Reich of the rich which they enabled.

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William--The demands not met by Biden can be attributed to efforts over sea that Putin started in an attempt to show his displeasure for our assistance to Ukraine. Gas prices, the cost of logistics here in this country have directly influenced the price of the goods we need on a daily basis. That isn't Biden's fault, but he is doing his best to ease the pain people feel. Yet they blame him for a situation he has had nothing to do with.

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You missed what I am sayiing. I didn't want to get specific and the demands that I am talking a bout predaate Biden by decades.

But lets slide back to Clinton and his Omnibus Crime Bill, which created a school to prison pipeline for legalized slavery.

The demands by fuzzy headed students and "liberals" that the US throw the Jews to the wolves. Then there are the pro choice people, like me, who had a 21 day window to pass pro choice legislation, but sat on their ass, because many democrats are also anti abortion as are the megadonors.

They did pass the Defense of Marriage act with no effort in that time period, but maybe because Peter Thiel, the billionaire who created PayPal is also gay.

The black males who are pissed because they haven't got their way.

The Muslims who are pissed because of Biden's support for Israel.

Hispanic males, who are pissed at migrants giving them a bad name (they have theirs and screw the rest), or feel that abortion rights are a threat to their masculinity and control over women.

I wonder how they will like a Trump presidency that cancels new citizenship's and round them up to ship them back where they came from or in a concentration camp in Montana, along with LGTBT and others whom Trump has declared mortal enemies.

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William--Trump said something to the effect that Gog wanted him to be president again, another lie. God would have left the room.

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William--I still believe Trump isn't a viable commodity politically. He is incomplete, who is his choice for VP. People can't really give support to an entity that is only half there. Chances are his choice will only hurt him in the "End."

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founding

The only "less qualified individuals" likely to" ooze" their way into what is commonly known as healthy competition are Democratic candidates more likely to win in 2024 election than Biden or Harris. Biden's Dem-GOP bridge-building activities and bordering

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Val--Trump had the border problem for 4 years and all he did with it was to send that crook Bannon down there to cheat people out of their money by selling autographed bricks with their names on them. He is just another stupid jerk in a long line of Trump stooges, who did nothing to help anyone.

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U.S. Rep Scott Perry, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, has been named as a witness who may be called to testify against DT in the Fulton County election interference trial. He defied the subpoena to testify before the Jan. 6 Committee. He won't be able to dodge this one. Although he himself would not be on trial, maybe this is the beginning of actually holding some of these elected people to account???? One can only hope.

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Our Democracy is under threat

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Keith Olson: I wonder if we all could do a class action suit against those in the DOJ who have enabled tfg? Isn,'t this challenge to our Republic important enough to merit expedited and priority actions, or timelines? If hordes of invaders were attacking from our borders, would they really take so much time? Snails do not make good defenders! Have we not seen enough!?! As the conservative judge said" " There is certainly enough evidence, we have seen it on TV" (maybe paraphrasing), but really!

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I’ll sign on to that class action suit. Think it’s a good idea if you can get enough people.

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Hopefully it will be unnecessary; and Justice will work.

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Might be a good idea to start it in case the Supreme Court he built rules in his favor. He has been working on his take-over for a while. Building the base, destroying the laws, burning books, retarding education, destroying faith in government. He has. been setting the stage for a long time. The class action suit is the best idea I’ve heard. Know people who will dihn on.

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Funny the same line was used by Woodrow Wilson as he was running for a second progressive term.”A threat to our democracy” Then sent the doughboys to die. Sick bastards

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founding

You can thank an ineffective Merrick Garland for that. Thank goodness he never made it onto the Supreme Court.

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Actually, I think he was better suited for the Court than for prosecution. It seems to be his temperament.

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I think Joan's point should be that he has the wrong temperament for Prosecutor: Much too accommodating, slow to react, wishy, washy. He gives the impression that he can be pushed around... and so they do.

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Nah you are taking Garland at face value, look deeper and see who he really is. A right winger, or at least one who can read tea leaves, and knows which side is buttered. The only reason he appointed Jack Smith is because he was shamed into it, by peers and press. He asked for the J6 committee records, not to prosecute but to squash even before the committee had finished it's job, thankfully Bennie Thompson was ahead of him and refused.

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And you think the current SC is an improvement? Attacking Merrick Garland is a far right distraction.

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Not really Alvina. Garland is doing the "lords work" he hasn't indicted Gaetz, the J6 conspirators in Congress, he only appointed Smith after being pressured and outed by his peers and the press. He is a right winger, vetted by Orin Hatch and worked for the Federalist Society.

What has happened to you is you have been played or promoting, reverse psychology. Trump is a master at the game. He attacks, that his opponents will knee jerk and defend.

The media was his tool and fool, they are responsible for his presidency, yet he calls hem the enemy of the people.. The FBI is conservative to the extent of Trump humping right wing, and too calls them the enemy of the people. The FBI had agents infiltrating BLM and the left, while ignoring and still ignoring the threats from the right.

Trump humping FBI and IRS "whistle blowers" have stood in front of congress and lied about Joe and Hunter

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Alvina : Not an attack as much as an observation. Everyone has something to bring to the table. Not everyone can handle an emergency expeditiously.

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Perhaps Jack Smith should be the next DOJ...if Biden wins.

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If the republicans can stop it, he'd never get approved. But we have the example of trump appointing unqualified people and just leaving them in the position without congressional approval.

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How about Stacey Abrams and Katie Porter. Don't prematurely celebrate Smith, maybe you don't remember but I do, how liberals celebrated Mueller and his report until it absolved Trump of conspiracy and complicity.

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William Farrar ; I remember that tRump interfered with the Mueller investigation, and his hired hand Bill Barr.

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Trump didn't interfere with the DOJ, Bill Barr was his lapdog and begged for the job. Barr turned against Trump when he realized he was engaged in criminal activity against the Constitution, and Barr was smart enough not to get embroiled, otherwise Barr was Trump's pet doggie.

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“ Robert Mueller Does Not Absolve Donald Trump of 'Collusion' in His Report”

Apr 18, 2019 at 12:51 PM EDT

https://www.newsweek.com/robert-mueller-no-collusion-donald-trump-1400589

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Not ineffective Joan, but subversive.;

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Joan Grabe : Certainly if there is lots of time for ruminating, but forget about anything requiring speed.

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As long as republicans hold power in our system, we are in trouble. They control the house, have veto power in the senate and control a large portion of the judicial system.

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William Cash : I wonder if there should be an investigation into those three House members with resumes that were similar to George Santos' : fake plus they were said to have received $$ from Mr. Santos that was from questionable sources.(foreign).Add to that gerrymandering that could affect the legitimacy of their 'win'.

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It's be a great idea but the republicans control the house and I don't think they'd allow it.

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Daniel solomon : Yes; all true! Unbelievable!

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founding

This negligence of our laws drives me to distraction.

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Blame Merrick Garland for doing nothing, but protecting the leaders of the coup, he is after all a conservative Republican.

Blame Joe for appointing and then not firing Garlandm because he is "principled",even though it leads to a Trump dictatorship, at least Joe is "principled", as liberals, gays, "feminists" are summarily dispatched and Muslims and "furriners" are rounded up and deported, at least they can say that the Democratic party and Joe Biden were principled.

Shades of the principled Weimar Republic..

Does anyone but me remember Osama saying that "They will use our democracy to destroy us" The same is true from our own homegrown terrorists. Christian white nationalists.

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Removed and never allowed to run for office again. At the top of the list would be the treasonous mango madman who is still calling the shots, still committing multiple crimes while out on bail and campaigning as the GOP frontrunner. WTF is wrong with these people?

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Rick Calegari ; They wanna 'win' and there seems to be no stopping them , so far!

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I went into detail in one of my Substacks

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Keith how about a synopsis for those of us who can't and don't have the time to read all substacks, or listen to all podcasts.

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My Substacks are usually about a minute long

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I hope Mr. Navalny has not met the same fate as putin's other outspoken critics. I hope that will locate him soon.

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They poisoned him initially. They want to silence him. Putin kills his opposition.

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so will trump if elected

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He uses his mafia friends.

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Yes thats a fact, that cannot be denied.

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He should never have been jailed in the first place, and we’re going to work with our embassy in Moscow to see how much more we can find out.

— John Kirby, US National Security Council spokesman

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Has he fallen out of a open window, perchance?

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Lokhi, I sincerely hope not! It just seems to me that putin's critics have a nasty way of disappearing! Mr. Navalny is putin's worst enemy so it would not surprise me if he has met the same terrible fate. I only hope he is found soon.

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Last December Pavel Antov fell out of an open window after criticising the invasion of Ukraine. And of course, poisoned drinks, blowing up of cars, planes -- all seem to happen to those who take a stand against Putin!

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Yes, Lokhi and if we aren't careful we could begin to see the same things happening here in America if trump gains any power!!

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America would become just like his lover’s country,North Korea!

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I fear for his safety but I wonder if they are hiding him because of the upcoming “election”. I also worry about the woman who just came out saying that she is running against Putin. They are brave in a country that obviously cheats when it comes to just about everything.

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Anon, it is heartening to see someone stand up against putin! What's more, she is a woman! I fear for Mr. Navalny as well. I was also skeptical that he would 'go missing' just before the election. Let's hope we are beginning to see a glimmer of protests in Russia concerning putin.

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I am waiting for the families of the men that have been forced into fighting in Russia’s war to start protesting. Might not happen but it would be nice to show that humans are not disposable.

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Easier to kill him.

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Nalvalny falling out of a window or found hung. Clearly that would be suicide. Putin does not even care how obvious he is anymore. It's his finger to the West.

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I like to learn new words but I could have gone the rest of my life without learning “defenestration” and its meaning.

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You mean his grave. Probably ground up as dog food, for Putin's watch dogs.

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Dec 12, 2023·edited Dec 12, 2023

It is not about the truth and it doesn't matter that there is no real evidence... it is Benghazi all over again. An effort to use what-about-ism to muddy the waters and tarnish Biden the same way they successfully tarnished Hillary. That strategy helped win the presidency from t-rump. maga supporters won't let inconvenient truths sway them, however, it is easier for them to hide behind the cover of lies and misinformation. It gives some, permission to vote for flawed (I am being gracious) t-rump because Biden is also flawed. The same way Republicans hide behind junk science that questions the validity of our impact on the environment and climate change. The same way they hide behind mental health and the 2nd amendment to avoid addressing gun violence. It gives corporate interests and billionaires cover to continue polluting the earth and damaging the Ozone Layer while they selfishly and greedily hoard more wealth & power. It keeps the majority divided and on edge, allowing more deaths in impoverished communities (those they don't want to vote or to have any power), it supports their "tough on crime" talking points and their efforts to terrorize fellow American to make them afraid of standing up against them.

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fyiurban ; There is no equivalency between tRump and President Biden. Only those living under a rock could be confused about the differences between the two men.

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Dec 13, 2023·edited Dec 13, 2023

Willful ignorance!

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They are deliberately obtuse!

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Putin "Ben Ghazi" and her emails played a role, but the truth is that Jill Stein carved away enough votes in Swing states to put Trump ahead in the electoral college,and Hillary didn't help herself. The Rust belt/swing states have a long memory, and the remember that is was Bill with is NAFTA and GAAT that shipped their jobs to Mexico and Asia.

Americans are not like Argentina, where the people idolized Juan Peron and his wife Evita.

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There were additional factors that neither of us mentioned. Have to blame the corporate interests for taking American Jobs out of the country for cheaper labor (lowering their expenses), while demanding the same price or more when selling them back to Americans, including their former workers.

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As Reich says Trump is behind this. And Putin stands behind Trump.

American media is failing to communicate the extent and threat of Putin's propaganda machine, once again. The US is being targeted and assaulted with lies, half-truths, and distractions, of domestic and foreign origin. No way Russia approaches the fighting might of the US so part of Russian strategy is to blind the giant. It's working.

"Get em by their media and their hearts and minds will follow" should be the wartime slogan in today's information age.

https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2022/03/putins-propaganda-machine-what-americas-far-right-wants/363083/

https://time.com/6179221/putin-information-war-column/

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Great article

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I was looking for the one that documented the huge number of readers/viewers of various Russian outlets. Could not find that. Kind of my point.

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As far as foreign policy goes, I'm not agreeing with replacing the European Union and Ukraine with Russia, Poland, Hungary, Serbia and Belarus. I know that Poland and Hungary are part of the EU, but they are falling into dictatorships.

As it stands now, our country is still the shining beacon on the hill for Democracy. We change alliances along with everything else T and the Magas want to do and that all ends.

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Poland's new prime minister vows to work to keep the world committed to helping Ukraine

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Enlightened self interest requires it. A defeated Ukraine puts Poland on the front line.

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Bang Diane you nailed it. In the last election the Right wing Catholic party, known for it's misogyny and homophobia, kept the sejm (it's congress) but gained conrol of it's senate and nothing the sejm passes will pass the senate unless the senate approves.

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That is a hopeful vow. Thanks for the update. I saw that PM Tusk is a centrist.

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As of NOW POLAND ousted the right wing Leader yesterday& are replacing him with a Democratic leaning leader that embraces NATO & the EU thanks to Polish Voters!!! It was a complete victory- so much so that the movie theaters. Opened and screened the voting tabulations. The full house was up on their Cheering!!

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And in Poland too, women revolted against tyrannical abortion laws.

This was in June and I think the overthrow of the right wing government had something to do with that:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/14/thousands-protest-strict-abortion-law-after-pregnant-woman-dies

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Newly elected Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk addresses lawmakers during his speech at the parliament in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday Dec. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

© Provided by The Associated Press

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The shining beacon is slowly being snuffed out.

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I don’t understand. Jared Kushner is Jewish. Yet he is so buddy buddy with the Crown Prince of Egypt, Israel’s and our enemy. How does he explain that to his children?

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Money trumps faith.

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Money salves the conscience.

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The U.S. gives Egypt over $2 billion a year, and has been doing so since 1979. Is this really how we treat our "enemies"? https://www.laprogressive.com/the-middle-east/aid-egypt-money-goand-decides-spent

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Yes, I have said Bunkerboy was "daddy Poopin's" bitch since 2016 when he LOST to Hillary! He WILL give Poopin UKRAINE to appease the liddle dicktator, then will help him destroy EVERY nation he THINKS he owns. [sic]

Goodbye 20+ countries because one estrogen-flooded madman can no longer get erections in his old age! (No seriously: I personally believe Poopin did this because he realized he is close to death and a-sad about it.)

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Keith, it sure sounds like treason to me, mistreating our allies in favor of a government that has expressed interest in doing harm to this nation, and has interfered in our elections on behalf of the same people who are supporting Putin. Yep, treason!

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I’m of the same opinion. It’s definitely treason!

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You have Trump Derangement Syndrome. Zelensky is a crook. You are horrible misinformed with bias.

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We all want to hear more about this, how about telling us Mr Reich?

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Navalny was murdered by Putin as were the rest of the hostages by HAMAS

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Dec 12, 2023Liked by Robert Reich

My BIGGEST concern is becoming the MEDIA who seem determined to throw Biden under the bus and democracy with it. Today CBS ran a clip multiple times of a 23 yo voter saying because of the policies Biden was exibiting toward "my people in Pallestine" he wouldn't vote for either Biden or Trump, even if his vote was the one that meant Trump would win. While I understand his anger and passion, he has not thought things through completely. He was born and LIVES in the USA. His refusal to vote for Biden is the same as the "revenge vote" that elected Trump the first time and nearly handed over our country to Putin & Co.. In his anger he is encouraging others to do the same,saying the Pallistinian community in Michigan is organizing against Biden. I doubt that any of them would voluntarily live in a facsist state, yet this is where we're heading if the media doesn't stop with their constant anti-Biden campaign.

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You shouldn't be surprised. The same people who own the Republicans own the media.

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This was on MSNBC!!!

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Adn who owns MSNBC, ComCast notorious right wing corporation and who owns ComCast and who owns he companies that own Comcast, drill down in Who Owns Who, and you find out the name of the people that own the media, the banks, the corporations. IN 1984 I could go into a University refence library and find a copy of Who Owns Who.

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THAT is startling, but not SURPRISING. 100% of non-social media is owned by America-hating BILLIONAIRES sad that fossil fuels are no longer viable, or indeed still exist!

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Don't get it twisted! most of the social media platforms are owned by the same!

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True - Though I do believe that the Democrats should have a plan B that the party & the voters can embrace if Joe were to falter. Who would the next VP be? That is just being prudent. The Republicans are going to be “no shows “ if “Orange Jesus” falters.

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The media has not been Biden’s friend. They tear him down and don’t report adequately on his accomplishments. However, given what’s happening in Gaza, it’s time for Biden to publicly campaign against the wholesale slaughter of citizens in Gaza. Israel needs the help of its more moderate Arab neighbors to exist into the future. Continued death and destruction in Gaza only makes that more unlikely.

Gaza has become a humanitarian crisis that destabilizes the region. For Israel’s sake as well as his own, Biden must publicly pressure Israel to curtail indiscriminate bombing. The fog of war has left Israel blind. Their allies must provide clarity. It’s time for Biden to speak out.

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They run this stuff to get us riled up. Money drives a mad media machine as it drives a mad fossil fuel based economy. Some passengers are trying to patch up the sinking boat while others obliviously load up their pockets with gold. And we drift further from land.

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He was born and lives in a DEMOCRATIC country.

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At the rate we're going and without a lot more folks able to think past the nose on their face, not for long.

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Someone earlier tonight observed that, if post-presidental Trump is immune from prosecution for crimes he committed while in office, then it follows that Joe Biden can commit whatever crimes he likes and he too will be immune from prosecution, not only while in office, but also after he leaves office. As my grandfather would have said, "Horsefeathers!"

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Following Trumps logic, Biden can just take out a hit on Trump and the members of congress that are bedeviling him and his son then pardon himself. Doesn’t work that way (plus Biden would never consider such a thing).

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Be careful what you wish for, in other words.

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Trump has been scheming on Joe Biden since 2017 so it's no surprise that he, along with his Nazi media talking heads, are behind all of this. They cheapen and denigrate our govt and I sorely hope they all meet ignominious ends.

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First Comer said there was a cover up concerning President Biden and Hunter and began his stupid investigation because the republicans were outraged! Then when charges were brought against Hunter the republicans were mad and said he was being charged to keep him from testifying in Comer's stupid committee! You simply cannot have it both ways. In this case, it's like my mom use to say "Damned if you do, damned if you don't!" I am so, so sick of trump thinking he can call the shots all of the time! The man truly disgust me. I cannot go through any news feed on any day without seeing his putrid orange face!! The republicans are as transparent as a piece of glass. They will do ANYTHING to appease this pitiful toddler!! President Biden loves his son very much, but he will not interfere with Hunters legal troubles. That is because President Biden as president does not intend to hold any sway over the Department of Justice and THAT is exactly the way it should be!

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Peggy Freeman, I share in your anger and frustration with these knuckleheads. Your post and mine echo some of the same reasons.

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M Tree, I truly am so very tired of these idiots!! I know there has always been a few that have acted like wombats for attention, but now it is the whole damn body of republican politicians!! I know that they want us to grow tired and to say to hell with it, but I will fight this insanity until I draw my last breath!! I grew up in the 60s and that was a very tumultuous time! Because of those protests, we became better and stronger. I truly believe when the dust settles on all of this, we will come out better and stronger. Thank you for your post.

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Peggy Freeman, I agree. Thanks for your reminder that light can only come from darkness. And I share your tenacity for wise and right action/response.

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Thank you, M Tree. You are in this fight as well and I sincerely hope that none of us give up. We will only have a free and united Democracy when all groups can feel safe and secure.

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Answer: #Putin and his stooge #Trump

They have both already caused chaos and huge damage to the fabric of America that will never be repaired

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Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Opinion | A do- nothing Congress prepares to impeach Biden – for nothing

“Their act is so weak that the GOP's three stooges have already gone into reruns.”

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Marlo, ha ha, I can think of a lot more than 3.

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Mike Johnson seems to think he is Listening to god and that he interprets this as a “Red Sea Moment “

There is a Good Chance Mike Johnson is Listening to SATAN and Satan main tool Tumpet 🎺.

It’s Easy to be deceived and Loki is just around the corner. VERY worried these political Clowns 🤡 are believing that they are doing gods will.

God’s will has been used to justify many human catastrophes ancient wars Charlemagne, the Spanish Inquisition, the final solution, the Holocaust, Vietnam...

If the Current Clown 🤡 Show in Congress is being run by

Mike Johnson/AKA god’s Will we are in for a Devine catastrophe of no limits no constraints political warfare.

Round one to the Orange Jesus !!!

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Trump seems to be losing in the courts

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Hopefully yes, but the appeals will delay justice and he will die a free man.

The Rich People don’t go to Jail only the little people go to Jail...

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I agree, but would you want his life right now? I love seeing him dragged into courts and law offices and threatened with jail. At least it’s something.

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"Sen. Romney said he would vote against Biden impeachment if he were in the House." NBC News yesterday. The clown show continues.

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Dec 12, 2023·edited Dec 12, 2023

That’s good to hear. There are also a couple of Republican representatives who said they would vote against impeaching Biden. Hopefully there are still a few with a conscience.

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Romney doesn't vote in the House.

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Yes but Mitt will have some influence.

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You’re right. It was late and I wasn’t paying enough attention. Sorry.

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I think he was talking about the general election for president.

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The upside might be that Repubs in swing districts could be hurt in 2024 by a vote for an impeachment inquiry if Dems advertise it right. IDK.

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Sadly, some people will believe what they want to believe ; that tRump has been treated "unfairly" and this is a remedy of the "witch hunt" he repeats over and over again. They are a pathetic minority. Justice will be served; if it isn't, we will see a much greater threat of anger from a much larger portion of the electorate. Blowback for sure. I hope it does not come to that, as I'm sure most feel the same way: Justice must be done.

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As today’s newsletter makes emphatically clear, this perilous (and, indeed, farcical) moment in our increasingly foundering Republic demands laser-focused discipline from Democratic leadership so not to allow Republican deceptions and distortions to go unanswered.

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When it comes to the Repiglicans, I’m at a loss for words: all I can say is 🤮.

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Dec 12, 2023·edited Dec 12, 2023

I am so sick of these men with a lot of power acting like children. Plotting and carrying out revenge, violence, yelling, temper tantrums, incessant whining and complaining, and infinite lying to avoid any and all responsibility and reality is what angry and tired children do. Over time parents and grandparents teach children the right way to act. Didn't anyone teach them how to be good men? Obviously not. It's very sad.

The media is a constant barage of awful men (and some women too) here and all over the world. I try to carefully navigate the media to avoid the violence and negativity, but it's difficult. Now with the knuckleheads hell bent on persecution, violence, and revenge, the media will do their part and drive the virus to every corner of the nation and the entire world. What a nauseating thought. How will I find anything positive, interesting, or important to watch on the news? Please universe make it stop! Help these people become good men and good women.

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Their parents and grandparents taught them life is all about money and power, and the ends justify the means.

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A sick game of Marionette’s. The extent of no morals re-enforced with an ill religious fever is once again making hell on earth.

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The United States was built on law and ethics -- at least if we believe what was said and written by its founding fathers c. 1776-88. Don't the Republicans realise that in making a mockery of due legal process and traducing fundamental ethics they are destroying the foundations of their own nation? Don't they realise that if they succeed there will only be the law of the tyrant? If they bring on this darkness they too will have no laws or principles or institutions to protect them.

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As melania's jacket back stated :" i don't really care"..and neither do those repugs..the " I've got mine and have no conscience "

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Robert Clark, perhaps their feeling of superiority prevents them putting themselves with everyone else. Their belief that they are more ---- more intelligent, more powerful, more loved by God, etc --- will save them from suffering the fate of the other less thans.

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By proxy, Trump's major donors are the OPEC/Saudi/Russia cartel that wins if subsidies for alternative energy, the new green deal, attacks on global warming, lose.

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Daniel Soloman, yes, it's a sad state of affairs. I just read somewhere, can't remember where, that Ukraine has very large oil/gas deposits, larger than any in Europe I believe the article said. The former guy repeating the word, drill, in his vile speeches supports your statement with an exclamation point.

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yes, it's all in the mix.

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they don't look that far ahead to realize their own ass could well be in the sling someday.

Power feels good. It's a rush. It's immediate. It causes a person to lose balance. And lot's of these people didn't have much balance to begin with.

"One down two to go" said Stefanik. As though she were laying a full house trumphantly down on the table.

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The orange guy looks good in orange.it matches his fake skin color. Lock him up.

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Definitely Putin and dumpster are in cahoots for the sham "investigation " into President Biden! And isn't it interesting that the repugnants are having a behind closed door meetings with a dictator, gee , I wonder what that is about ? More planning for a second coup perchance? More obstruction/treason to support the repugnants real leader ,Putin! Nothing surprises me anymore with the repugnants! I hope whatever they plan on doing is worth betraying their country and the people of the USA !

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It is a worthless pursuit, and their pitiless souls will depart in darkness, as snakes return to their dens. MAGA replicates Wormtongue in Tolkien's :Fellowship of the Ring", who whispered his poisonous screed into the ears of the Rohan King withering on his throne. The stress of another Trump presidency would force a plague of psychological brain cancer on the populous from negativity, fear mongering, and the raging actions of religious fanatics armed to the teeth with weapons of mass destruction, bent on the suppression of liberty. That impulsive anger and braggadocio equals strength (the need for a "strongman" makes me gag) is such an erroneous perception. In my book, Biden, his supposed "weakness" under storm on Fox News, is powered by his mien of patient endurance, wisdom, and clarity of purpose. I breathe a bit easier in the eye of the storm. We are in such a tangled web that the odds are against his grabbing the brass ring this time around makes it even more of challenge for Democrats to overcome. The swell of the Republorcs in the dungeons of pizza shops in DC and the drilled down deathlands of fracked up Mordor in the sacred grounds of indigenous people, are cooking up a toxic stew for the minions to swallow whole.

"And, I wonder when we are ever gonna change, change

Living under the fear, 'til nothing else remains

We don't need another hero

We don't need to know the way home

All we want is life beyond Thunderdome"--Tina Turner, Mad Max, Thunderdome

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