i couldn't help but notice that you only mentioned white men as leaders (well, and thugs). i think there are some exemplary female leaders out there, too. women such as Jacinda Ardern, who, despite intense media and public criticism, basically kept New Zealanders safe during the COVID outbreak (amongst other actions); there was Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, a country which has a large cohort of young female leaders who are strong, thoughtful and incredibly effective; Michelle Bachelet, a human rights advocate and the first woman President of Chile, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was the first democratically-elected woman president anywhere in Africa, who led Liberia through reconciliation and recovery following a decade-long civil war and responded to the Ebola Crisis of 2014–2015.
i could go on, but i think you get the idea. in short, i think men in leadership roles are mostly selfish, sociopathic and corrupt. although mostly overlooked or highly criticised, women generally do a better job governing FOR THE PEOPLE (we could argue the reasons for this at another time.)
NOTE: edited to correct a typo, which made my comments (but not my thoughts!) somewhat muddled.
Mette Fredrikson of Denmark. Kept her people safe from Covid, and she’s still PM today. And the Danes believe in the power of their institutions and that government is a positive force. Their belief in the Uncorruptibility of their Instutions is why Denmark’s “contentment factor” is always so high. Ethical behavior is a Social Value.
In 2015, another of the three thugs on the list went to Copenhagen after a series of shootings -- one targeting the Grand Synagogue. Netanyahu addressed the Jews of Denmark telling them that their real country was Israel, and that they should come "home" to a place that would welcome them with open arms. (Leaving out the fact that a Jew is hundreds of times more likely to be killed in Israel than in Denmark.)
The leaders of Denmark, as well as the Jewish community, did not receive Netanyahu's remarks well. As one put it: "An attack against Jews in Denmark is an attack on all Danes. Our response to such attacks is not to run away."
The breeder from whom I bought my present horse (16.2 Appy/Arab) has produced a couple of Knab/Appy crosses. She raises lovely sport horse type Appaloosas, but she's been cutting back. Her stallion is in his early 20s now, and I don't see any indication she's kept any of his colts as a possible successor.
Well, The Donald has quipped more than once " Only the little guys in the beanies do My taxes" . . That's pretty broad minded . tho Finish The Job T Shirts are Ok at his rallies . ..
I find it peculiar that Netanyahu son is hiding out in the Miami area while persons his own age are being called up to active military duty in Israel .
Netanyahu son Knows Bi Bi Netanyahu better than most people he is not willing to go back to Israel .
Netanyahu Son’s Deliberate choice to Shelter in The USA instead of Serving His Country. If his Decision to Hide in the USA is to be interpreted correctly he doesn’t trust his father to make good decisions about Israel and (attempting to impose a final solution of erasure of the Palestinians ) no one else should risk their lives or fortunes either…
The kid knows his father intentionally wants to avoid Jail and fines and political retribution for being asleep and unwilling to maintain security for his population.
But Israel is funding the son's security costs. He has 8 remaining years of call-up for their defense forces but for all we know the kid could have bone spurs.
Thugs seem to be more likely interested in dividing countries and finding the most disagreeable means to do it .
Look at Marjorie Taylor Greene , a thug if ever there was one .
Supporting all the other thugs with their Noxious behaviors and words.
They find a way to be as ugly as possible in dealing with other human beings . Particularly if you disagree with them .
They all are missing any semblance of integrity or good character.
The Republican Congress is an example of a group of thug s going out of their way to be instructed by more notorious thugs.
Trump telling them to stop the border deal because he wants it as a point of contention.
Trump , Putins thug , refuses to fund Ukraine in deference to a thug that would bury him if he wanted to .
The whole idea of having any sense of decorum or kindness is gone for this group . Thugs don’t need that .
It’s hard to believe the way some thugs in GOP Congress have spoken to dignitaries or specialists in many important areas . They find their skills in harassment and nastiness.
It’s embarrassing to watch them .
We should work very hard to disallow these thugs to hold office of any kind in our country . They are surely beneath it . Netanyahu has taken very great chances of having Israel involved in War Crimes because of his alleged leadership. He’s not a leader he’s a destroyer True for Trump also , another lunatic destroyer.
Yes, but how do we get rid of these cancers in our midst? They are too canny and frighteningly overprotected, secure behind the wall of their loyalists and secure in the knowledge that their martyrdom would only boost their legend among their poisonous ranks. It's the old Hydra metaphor; cut off one head and nine more sprout in its place.
Sure, B Evans, it is simple-in theory. freedom to do so depends only on what state you live in and what color you are. In any case, you are right in that we should all vote while we still can.
Thank you , Linda. No I do not know them , Lane is my late husbands name his parents immigrated to America from Ireland and settled by the Chemung River near Elmira NY . He had several siblings not all were local . But I don’t know if any live in Indiana.
Thomas, Contrary to Danish leaders, when former President Trump had addressed Jewish groups, he had referred to PM Netanyahu as their Prime Minister. Equally disturbing, I had heard him on one occasion saying something to the effect that Jews had better get right with Israel before it’s too late.
While I won’t elaborate on my interpretation, suffice it to say that Jews everywhere only are safe when they reside in democracies.
When did we shed these values as a people? In the USA, now, they're not evident. People like trump and Mike Johnson will have a lot to answer for. They and their supporters will NEVER be able to wash the blood off their hands and history is and will record it all. What a legacy (of disgrace!).
Danes are unique. We don’t have these deep cultural wrongs. We never enslaved anyone. Nor did we ever have the Death Penalty. Not our thing.
Vikings were brutal conquerers, for sure. But back at home, hoarding of wealth and violence in the Clan got you banished to Iceland. And we’ve spent our modern history being decent people to atone.
Hoarding of wealth, enslavement, and inter-personal violence are the hallmarks of American culture.
Honestly, Americans would be fish out of water in Denmark. We pick up trash. We “park” our baby strollers and don’t worry about “baby snatchers”. We follow honor systems. We prefer bikes as transport. And we expect others to do the same in our home. If you behave badly as a tourist in Denmark, we call you out. We are painfully truthful and honest.
Americans would find Danish life very difficult. We perceive Social Welfare as being government’s job. Our worst “insult” is to say something is “Anti-social”. We believe in basic minimum income for human dignity; high quality free healthcare for human dignity; free day care; free school thru university….. We serve in the National Guard as an obligation for the Rights Danish citizenship provides. We are genuinely patriotic, in that we want a better Denmark.
Americans would actually have a difficult time in Danish society. We have rules and expectations. Please visit. Take our public transport. Don’t litter. ❤️🇩🇰❤️
A few years ago, I had an all-too-short visit to Denmark as well as brief stops in neighboring Baltic countries. It was my good fortune to have knowledgeable guides in each place, but the statement of one of them has stayed with me over many years. Asked by one of the travelers about the high taxes required to maintain the many social services provided by the state, she said emphatically: "You can't get rich in this country, but you can't get poor either." The more I think about it (and I've reflected on it often during the last few years) and the more I learn about the mountains of unused cash that the wealthy in this country are able to stockpile, the more attractive a country where you can't get rich, but you can't get poor either becomes.
Martha, please don’t paint all Americans with the same broad stroke. There are many here that would like all the things you have mentioned and more, but we have a few monied folks whose greed and power have highjacked our laws and norms, Hopefully we can grow up and oust the oligarch thugs.
Many of us in America have very strong values and respectfully live our lives like you and your Danish friends and neighbors do. Please don't give up on us - and continue to call out what you see. The dynamics of how our politics and societal values and norms have evolved in recent years has driven some of us "a bit underground" or we've moved to locations in the US where we can live in alignment with the exceptional values you share above. I live in a unique small town, and being part of a caring neighborhood is truly a tonic for our daily lives -and I work to help make my small town better.
Your sharing reminded me of my time working on board the Holland America Line cruise ships as a naturalist, and after a time I was offered a promotion to an officer role that allowed me to live on the officer deck and be part of the lively day and night activities. We traveled to spectacular places - but most of all I loved the camaraderie and I have never forgotten what a joy it was to work and play together.
What you describe seems to be a more evolved, collaborative, mindful, and loving culture. As a country your economic, social, and government structures sound designed to reinforce good will towards all and respectful care for all that then replenishes your society and rejuvenates the spirit. You can feel your strong sense of duty and belief in service as a way to contribute and nourish your community, and landscapes. I would love to visit and your description has made me confirm that I won't delay in planning a trip to experience your homeland.
What a model Denmark (and a few other nations) could be for so many countries in the world - and especially for the US right now. I have felt in my lifetime this downward spiral and even though I live in a wonderful state I do all I can to embody the beautiful and noble values and ideals that America aspired to be. I feel the pride you have for your country's way of being, and how your history, and heritage has led to a conscious evolution to create a level of self actualization for all citizens. It gives me hope to know that Denmark exists in the world.
I seek to be the change I want to see in the world (where I can) and those actions can ripple far and wide the more we come together to help each other. Thank you Martha - I look forward to learning more about your country and you've inspired me to find a way to reconnect with the old friends that I once knew so well.
The values are great. From your comments about Americans, however, I gather the values do not include refraining from generalizations/prejudices about people from other countries.
Dzvinka, the challenge is that they won't be around to hear what history has to say and therefore, don't care one wit. Thugs are thugs because they have no moral compass, so are their own guides as to what they can and can't do. They are like 3-year-olds, toddler-men and some toddler-women whose tantrums are devastating rather than just annoying.
I agree with you. I have deeply held and cherished values, none of which are represented by MAGA. MAGA unchecked will grind our country into the dust. Let’s not let them.
I've thought about where I'd go if Tr*mpf is reelected, but, as a loyal American, I feel the conflicting need to stay and fight for overturn of his administration if we still have a democracy.
Showed what an amazing coward he is! He was in prison already. Wasn't that bad enough? Putin already decides the elections, so it would be a long time until anyone else would take his 'power', but he still couldn't handle that people think he's a bastard, even in his country. What an amazingly cowardly ridiculous baby!
Don't forget that behind and alongside Putin are all the oligarchs who would rather stay super rich than anything else and will help Putin put down his opponents. If anyone, like Yulia Navalnya, takes up the banner they would have to deal with all the corrupt rich people in Russia. There's a whole cabal that would just as soon keep the current regime in power. It's formidable but not unconquerable. I wonder how many more anti-corruption people will have to die before the people rise up and take Russia back?
Denmark has very restrictive immigration laws. The country is tiny, and has a great economy. It saves its places in the system for genuine refugees; not disgruntled Americans.
I bet that is true. Canada doesn’t want Americans either unless they have plenty of money and a trade/occupation they need and that one is young. No poor old folks please.
The principle "problem" I see in this is that way many of those countries - prefer
American immigrants who have a significant level of personal resources to be able to live there after immigrating without - accessing that countries resources
meant for their own native citizens (?) If this is so, that would eliminate me from immigrating - to anywhere in the world where I would feel comfortable ~
and live out the rest of - what's left of my life ~
If, God forbid, xxxx is elected, there will be no escape. Instead of agonizing, you can get on the phone to Get Out The Vote. There are opportunities to phone bank all over the country all the time now. Go to Mobilize.us. One such opportunity is a mayoral primary in Milwaukee tomorrow, for example. Search WisDems and sign up to contact voters all day Tuesday. The script includes a question asking every voter whether they plan to vote for Biden in November. The plan is to begin to have these conversations with voters now, and to encourage infrequent voters to go to the polls in Milwaukee tomorrow and feel more a part of the impetus. Let's make sure that xxxx is never elected anything again so you can put your energies into more fully participating in our democracy, rather than strategizing some futile, fantastical escape.
That would make you a refugee. I think things would have to get much worse here for US citizens to have refugee status. You’d have to overstay your visa and hope they don’t figure it out.
I am eligible for dual American/British citizenship, and I wonder if that would give me entre into Canada. I've visited Vancouver several times and found it rather like San Francisco (but that was a while ago).
You'd have to get that UK citizenship thing sorted first and probably have to come from the UK rather than the States. You'd also need to have skills Canada wants and some money.
Well, I have a decent retirement account, but as a legal assistant, I don't necessarily think my skills would translate to Canadian law. ;0) Besides, I'm 79, and I'd be bringing a horse. I DO have relatives in Vancouver though..... I filled out some forms on a UK site and they say I am eligible for a UK Passport (mother, grandmother, great-gran, etc. all British citizens at one time). It's just a passing thought - I'm a bit old to be making that big a move at this time. Damn sure I'm going to help get out the vote this year, though.
In the film Who Shall We Invade Next, Michael Moore interviewed the female president of one of Iceland’s banks. I’m sry I can’t remember her name. She said the banks headed by women in Iceland did not melt down in the mortgage mess, “Women don’t buy something they don’t understand”.
Seriously? Bothsidesism? Women have JUST started being allowed to share power! Was Gold Meir corrupt? What do you know? Men have been power for MILLENIA. Seriously? Name 5 woman Presidents or Prime Ministers. The only Right Winger currently in actual power is Giorgia Meloni.
Margaret Thatcher was a cold, scheming bitch - but I doubt she was corrupt.
Having worked for a female boss who was just as selfish and sociopathic as any male, I must respectfully disagree. Women have just as much capacity for good and evil as any man, Margaret Thatcher being a recent prominent example of the latter.
Beg to differ on the malevolence. Men get angry, blow out can do a lot of damage, for sure, but malevolence, [literally wanting evil to befall someone, I think women "win" [if I can say win for that]. Women will hold a grudge much longer, thinking about how they are going to get even. When they pounce, Yikes! Mrs Bobbitt. That is not to deny that it is really more of an individual thing.
Don''t tel me you Fell for The Lady MacBeth trope . .Shakespeare was a bit Woke, you know .. .like with that ditherer Hamlet . .who Finally! acted like a Real Man .. ..
I used to see the world half full, in fact for 45 years in my careers in the helping professions. But, I have realized I had rose colored glasses and did not have the realistic view that people do 'what they want'. If that is poisoning the land, and they want to, they do it. If it is insatiable greed in inheritances or Congress, they build the path to doing it. If it is comfort, they gain it.
I was fortunately trained in a woman's voice and found my own unique voice. It was however, not the values of greed, power and prestige, thus crushed. I have come to the conclusion that it is a matter of human consciousness. Some have grown this inclusively, most have not. AS much as I learned about this in my young years, it took my experience to realize how really true it is. I always hoped that one good thing from the terrifying Chinese invasion of Tibet, would lead to the wider knowledge of the Dali Lama, Tibetan Buddhism and other forms, might raise the general consciousness.
AS to learned behavior, there was a book in the 1960s, The Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire, that rang true. Have a look.
When I see men being trained in the military, and the sergeant is yelling at them, in their face, and they stand there and take it just because the sergeant outranks them, I am amused: Women have a different way to get even, like mixing Nair in his shampoo or lacing his chocolates with eX-lax.
From habit and customs, women have been able to put up with a lot more abuse, but when they've had their fill, beware!
They say: "Hell has no fury like a woman scorned". Well. it is not *just* a woman scorned.
Let's throw into that lot the covert power behind party animal Kim Jong Un of North Korea, his sister who is as ruthless and calculating as any thug we've ever witnessed.
No. The point is that there are women who also are true leaders, which doesn’t mean there aren’t female thugs as well . . . But, due to male dominance generally, there have been more male thugs who, again, have more destructive power.
GrrlScientist, thank you so much for reminding us to lift conscious women up too. I am not familar with most you mentioned, so thank you for teaching me.
And I agee with you that women are often better leaders, more suited to strengthening democracies, because they operate less from ego than men. Biologically women are more nurturing, open-hearted, sensitive to the needs of people, and more averse to violence. Historicallu, the women leaders with little ego have been suppressed, ridiculed, and even tortured and killed (the real witch trials) because their egalitarian views were feared as obstacles to egoic male power. Although, I think the egoic grip is loosening in some men and this is healthy for them as individuals and the world.
as a scientist (whose PhD was a study of hormones no less!), i am wary of the "biologically women are ... " argument. i actually think some women can be as cold, ruthless and egotistical as most men, but because women come from a vastly different SOCIAL culture -- we're overlooked, have unequal access to resources, jobs, recognition and other benefits, and are systematically treated unfairly and poorly compared to white men -- we have a different experience of the world that we live in and a more open perception of the world that we WANT to live in -- a world that benefits everyone.
note that i am speaking in generalities, here. and i doubt that hormones play much of a role, although we are still trying to figure this out.
GrrlScientist, In my view, your studies, affording you a unique opportunity to distinguish biological explanations from how women experience the effects of sexism, are most illuminating. Thank you for writing.
GrrlScientist, that's okay we have different opinions on it. In the intelligent design of life, I think because females are those who bear the offspring, they are designed to be more nurturing and attentive to ensure the survival of their offspring. But I also believe that yes, in some women this has been suppressed, not allowed, and wounded by violent egos in their childhood, culture, and the world at large.
Hormones R us. We fool ourselves into thinking we have free will, but out hormones drive human behavior, eating, aggression, reproduction, sex, submission.
The best way to determine whether generalities are true would be to examine some representative groups according to some preestablished criteria. And then the causes of such differences, if they are found, is something else again.
You are right, GrrlScientist. There have been some truly remarkable, great women that have been very strong leaders. Trust me, there will be more! There has been a lot of men who were basically corrupt thugs. There are many articles and essays that I have read that discuss the fact that women in leadership tend to have less corruption. It is interesting to read those.
My two cents here: Many cultures throughout the world, and especially with some native American cultures, when a prisoner was to be tortured they gave the job to the women.
I bring attention to the Scythians and Sarmatians, whom Herodotus called Amazons, they had women warriors, in fact Pliny wrote that the Sarmatians required of their women to fight in battle and slay a foe to win the right to marry. Many graves of women warriors have been found in the kurgans of the steppes and in Viking Burials as well.
A Chinese Woman Led the Largest and Most Successful Pirate Fleet in History. Sometimes called, Zheng Yi Sao or "Wife of Zheng Yi," she's known to history as Ching Shih for what she accomplished once he died
An as always there is Boadicea the Icenian warrior queen that came close to wiping out the Roman presence in Britain.
The diminishment of women, seems to be a Mediterranean thing, Greece and then Rome spread it into Europe via the Catholic church
I think you’re right with these examples that show that true leadership exists in women and not just men.. On the other hand, let us not confer sainthood or demonhood on a gender considering them intrinsically superior or inferior. Rather recognize them all as humans who are capable of good or evil and judge them on their actions. The MAGA crowd gives a great illustration of this with plenty examples of both males and females exalting and emulating shamelessly their non-leader head.
Came here to say exactly this about the lack of women (though only a couple of non-white men, when there are many more who could be in the list). In all of human history, Robert, you couldn’t find any women to include in your list? Or did you just not think about it? Shame on you either way.
Women do not possess an intrinsic ability to do good anymore than a man has the ability to do good.
Women are just people and so are men just people . Having a particular kind of sex organ is not any kind of qualification for higher office.. however, any country that ignore half of its population(Women) is operating with only half of its Brain power.
well ... to be fair, although he didn't specifically STATE HIS ARGUMENT AS SUCH, professor reich had narrowed down his comments to american presidents, NOT leaders of other nations -- i only realized this after i'd posted my response and looked over his initial piece that triggered this discussion.
Well said, and most importantly, needed to be said. I agree with you that, although there are far fewer women leaders of countries around the world, those countries that are governed by women leaders, by and large, are fortunate people and societies. They are more likely to share a positive sense of well being, confidence in and reliability on fair governance of individual and family human lifetime based supportive services and institutions. As is the norm in developed countries, health care, child care, education including college and graduate education, with built-in societal infrastructure maintains a better quality of life. Women, by nature, have more inclination and propensity for collaboration and negotiation and far less spotlight seeking competition. The four women leaders you brought attention to in your opening statement are indeed exemplary, and deserving of historical recognition.
Great examples of women leaders who focus on the commons and common good. We’ve ignored the obvious patriarchy in major religious institutions and its corruption of common values.
Thank you, GrrrlScientist, for taking the words out of my mouth. Although actually doing a much better job on the subject than I would have done. Keep spreading the news . . .
You failed to mention Margaret Thatcher who was a thug if ever we saw one. Great leaders and thugs come in every gender, race, sexual attraction and religious affiliation. Professor Reich did, indeed, fail to mention women in his list of great leaders and thugs, which is not surprising, since most leaders have been men, because of misogyny and our societal stereotypes regarding masculine and feminine traits, but your claim about male leaders is based solidly in misandry.
I am so glad to see you talk about these wonderful and all to few female leaders in the true sense of the word. While your points about our male leaders are accurate, you didn’t mention what tends to make them that way; and that’s TESTOSTERONE. While men have the audacity to pontificate about women and our possible “oversensitivity” because of our “time of the month” and whatever they think that might entail, no one has mentioned how dangerous a testosterone-driven man might become. That’s not to say that women can’t make the hard decisions, Golda Meir comes to mind or that they too can’t rule with a fist; think Margaret Thatcher. History is replete with strong women in leadership roles. Some were good, some not so much but like you, I would much rather be led by someone with a heart rather than one with a sword.
I have been shouting for and supporting a wave of female leaders in Michigan for the last fifteen years as my faith in just, honest, empathetic males has gotten weaker and weaker as we watch the horrors of, particularly white males, established leadership and politicians.
is there a connection between the newly released suggestion that Putin is developing nukes in space to hijack/ interrupt/ blackmail satellite networks from operating with state secrets we can believe djt shared/ sold/ gave to putin?
takes djt’s “ only i can fix the it” to an interstellar level…
Mweiner, I was feeling the same way not too long ago! I backed away from watching too much news feeds and substacks. It helped. I was able to take a breath relax and fix my thoughts on what I needed to do. Once I felt rejuvenated, I got back on track, got busy with petitions, letter writing, and spreading the truth. I hope you feel better and don't be scared. Everything will work out and President Biden will continue to lead!!
Well you should be scared. We should ALL be scared. WWIII is lurking around the corner if Russia wins Ukraine. He ALREADY is lining up along the Baltic States (as he did before he attacked Ukraine) which belong to NATO. If he attacks, we are headed for WWIII!
If Putin gets a hold of Ukraine, then Moldova is next, There is an enclave called Transnistra, which has it's own flag and is an unofficial country, that is old line Soviet that is officially the eastern part of Moldova nestled against Ukraine. Moldova will fall easily, but what Putin really wants is the Suwalki Gap, this is a stretch of land, and open plain, which has been the invasion route for centuries (Napoleon used it Hitler too), that stretches from Kaliningrad on the Baltic to Belarus.
Kaliniingrad is Russia/s warm water port, but it is isolated from Russia by Poland and Lithuania. The Suwalki gap is the border between Lithuania and Poland. Putin wants both.
If Ukraine falls, Putin will fall back to refit, re organize and resupply, before attacking Lithuania and the west, and the yellow stripers, will breathe a sigh of relief, believing that once again they have peace to enjoy their toys and comfortable life style.
I have pretty good reasons to believe that Putin would never attack the Baltic states. He's going to have his hands completely full just TRYING to occupy whatever he thinks he has gained in Ukraine.
The place that worries me far more is North Korea. It's shaping up like Jonestown before the Kool-Aid.
If Putin gets a hold of Ukraine, then Moldova is next, There is an enclave called Transnistra, which has it's own flag and is an unofficial country, that is old line Soviet that is officially the eastern part of Moldova nestled against Ukraine. Moldova will fall easily, but what Putin really wants is the Suwalki Gap, this is a stretch of land, and open plain, which has been the invasion route for centuries (Napoleon used it Hitler too), that stretches from Kaliningrad on the Baltic to Belarus.
Kaliniingrad is Russia/s warm water port, but it is isolated from Russia by Poland and Lithuania. The Suwalki gap is the border between Lithuania and Poland. Putin wants both.
If Ukraine falls, Putin will fall back to refit, re organize and resupply, before attacking Lithuania and the west, and the yellow stripers, will breathe a sigh of relief, believing that once again they have peace to enjoy their toys and comfortable life style.
The actions I am judging by are the fact that Russia has lost a heluva lot of men and equipment in its two-year stalemate -- and hasn't even begun to try to occupy. And this considering the fact that much of Ukraine's eastern region is composed of ethnic Russians with separatist intentions.
That, and the actions of war were taking place between Russian and Ukraine in the years leading up to the invasion. The "Donbas War" started in 2014.
That, and the fact that the Baltic states are NATO nations and don't have any Russian separatist movements -- as did/does Ukraine.
That, and there's a new NATO nation with a 1,340 km border with Russia: Finland. Putin knows his history and knows that the Finns put a serious hurt on the Soviets in their 1939 war. None of his actions have ever struck me as "stupid."
For the benefit of readers, Russia's population has been in decline for decades -- LOW birthrate. And extremely poor life-expectancy. Thousands of young men have fled the country -- many the best and brightest.
Therefore, the "self-renewing" part has to be taken with a good measure of соль.
The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that Russia plans to double its military presence along the borders it has with the Baltic states of Estonia, Finland, and Latvia.
“Russians are planning to increase the military force along the Baltic states’ border but also the Finnish border,” said Kaupo Rosin, director-general of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service this week, ahead of the annual Munich Security Conference that begins tomorrow. “We will highly likely see an increase of manpower, about doubling, perhaps. We will see an increase in armed personnel carriers, tanks, artillery systems over the coming years.”
Polish President Andrzej Duda confirmed last August a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia had moved some of its tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus in July. Tactical nuclear weapons are so-called “battlefield” short-range nukes intended for use during ground warfare.
That’s what might Russian dental hygienist said about invading Ukraine when the Russians were lined up on the border. She didn’t believe they would until they did.
While some people consider public office an opportunity to bring about a greater good for the country. Others such as Trumpet 🎺 , Netanyahu , Putin, Stalin. Hitler See public office as an once in a lifetime opportunity to Steal , and /or be Brined a great deal of Money.
The only way to stop thumpet🎺 is to destroy his wealth the only thing he cares about; the item he uses to guide all his decisions Donny Trumpet 🎺 WALLET!!!
To date trumpet 🎺 has Enriched himself more than any other President in history…
He is still raking in the money. He will use it to pay for all his court fines. His adoring followers will do anything for him which is a good reason to be fearful.
Hitler wasn't motivated by money, more dangerously he was motivated by his own ideology and ego. Trump is money and ego, Netanyahu money and ego, Stalin by ego and ideology, in the end, the final end, it is all about ego, and delusions of grandeur.
Most wars in history have been fought to create buffer zones, Regions that will act as a buffer between the center of power and potential hostile forces.
Stalin used eastern Europe as a buffer between Russia and the west, and he treated the countries as satrapy's ruled by approved puppet governments.
Putin is following Stalin's model, he already has one in place in Belarus, and others in the Stans.
As I understand it Hitler was funded by the industrial complex and their customers the German army…
Their original goal was profit from rearming I don’t know where the kill the Jews came from except that it was/is common to hear that the Jews killed Jesus during advent Easter etc. And that’s why god hasent taken us up to heaven to be with him ( god)
Not have to work free everything etc…
Adults still believe that nonsense…
Hitler used it to motivate his followers and kill all the bad people…
Political motivation, and encouraged by some of the major non-Jewish faiths
True the German military industrial complex did finance Hitler, they thought that they could control him, so did Henry Ford and Prescott Bush, daddy of G H W Bush and granddaddy of Dubya.
You might be astonished to learn that American and German corporations were meeting in Switzerland after D Day to strategize how to save the German corporations.
As regards Hitler and the Jews, there is a long history of Jew hatred in Europe, and Hitler in Mein Kampf blamed the Jews for everything, and called them the father of lies, and then hired Goebbels the real father of lies.
Hitler diden’t creat the Jew as Christ killers he just used it and/or believed it from what he learned as a member of European society…
Bad crops blame the Jews, Famine blame the Jews, bad Storms blame the Jews, scapegoating is an excuse every society uses to divert blame from the guilty to the actual causes…or the beneficiaries…
And he will continue to do so until he's stopped. If only people would wise up and stop falling for his ridiculous grifts like his new hideous sneakers. Hopefully, a conviction or two will finally have an impact on his shrinking finances as well as his frightening reelection efforts thar would turns us into a Banana Republic if he were to win.
A few things I've learned from Buddhism help me here. One is the idea that everything is impermanent and subject to change. That reminds me I have control over nothing but my own actions. Much of the time I can stop tying myself into knots over terrible things that others are doing and think of ways to address the suffering they cause. If media are causing you to despair, you can turn away from them altogether or choose wisely, which is why I follow Robert Reich.
I think they've been working on it a long time. I can imagine why the rethug idiot wanted to make a splash about this incredible threat: he wanted the Ukraine aid bill to pass, or he wanted fodder for the Biden-is-incompetent meme. You pick
The greatest leaders are those who lead by example and do not take advantage of others! They respect all of their citizens and show that by promoting policies that benefit their citizens. They are authentic and as honest as they can be.
The worst leaders are not leaders of the people. They are narcissists who demand loyalty from their followers. They don’t care about anyone else but themselves and how they can benefit from others to satisfy their desires! In their minds they are the only ones who can fix society’s problems.
Beautifully said Dr. Reich on President's Day. Thank you. Your words give me hope that enough patriotic Americans will wake up in time for November to Vote out this horrible threat from within. Keep up the great work. We need and appreciate you!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
It seems the thugs of the world have developed a wedgie in their B. V. D,s. That's Bibi, Vlad, and Donnie. All three autocrats are members of a society that would be better off without them.
Excellent point. The world would be a much better place without these three very twisted tyrants. You would think with Bibi's popularity in Israel sitting at about 27%, his days in power should numbered. Unfortunately, as long as he's in charge, the awful situation in Gaza won't be resolved.
Hamas is just one head of the hydra. At some point, Bibi must go and the the Palestinians like the Israeli's deserve their own state. With both sides trying to eradicate each other, the mindset has to change before any progress will be made.
It puzzles me that people equate manliness, popularity, self-worth, intelligence and leadership with the "strong man" mentality. A strong man is one who feels compassion, empathy, charity, kindness and well-being. A strong man would make decisions based on facts and the truth. He/She most definitely would NOT strut around preening like a peacock over winning at fist-a-cuffs or waging war. A strong man would not care if people made disparaging remarks over his/her looks or actions and would not petulantly claim those that made them an enemy and would be "dealt with". I look for a leader that inspires and lifts up everyone. A leader that remains calm and steadfast and is sure in his/her thinking. Alexei Navalny was more of a leader than putin ever hoped to be. He worked for the people of his country to make life better for them. That is something putin has no interest in. History is full of examples of excellent leaders that will never be forgotten and will always be quoted. History is also full of examples of evil little men that only amount to a footnote on a page. On President's Day, I want to remember our finest leaders and their contributions to America that helped shape her into a great country. I want to look ahead to what America can continue to become as long as we keep a leader in the White House like President Biden. Vote Blue America!!
Completely agree! Biden isn’t an entertainer…he’s the President for God’s sake! He’s not here to put on a show and make you feel better…Sell you gold sneakers or perfume and steal your hard earned money. Go to a comedy club if that’s what you’re looking for. He is doing a serious job of running the country. Juggling every day events that you’re not even aware of. STOP comparing him to Trump. There is no comparison. Trump is a white trash thug who is out for himself and doesn’t care about you or America. He would sell his children to make a buck. Wake up and stop talking about this election as if it’s normal and we have two normal candidates running for President. We have a thug trying to destroy our country to be a dictator and we have a decent man trying to save our democracy.
Your comments resonate with my own feelings, especially about what it means to be a strong man. Mean have to speak up and out against the strong man stereotype. They have to own it, now as never before.
Yes mam, they do! Men must show not only with words but actions how very wrong this strong man stereotype is and flip the script on it. Help people learn what a true strong man acts like. By the way, it is most definitely NOT trump and his cohorts!!
I agree with you except I'm not enamored with Biden. Most of the good he has managed was because of his agreement with Bernie Sanders. The Israeli mess is going to hurt him in November.
Agreed! It's obvious that some people are going to hurt biden in November if they don't figure out that Trump equates to autocracy and dictatorship while Biden represents freedom in this country. The question is, are these people that are most sympathetic to the Taliban mentality in the Middle East, or would they prefer freedom in the United States? That's a real question for those who support Gaza and Hamas.
I total agree that Netanyahu has gone too far in the strike on Hamas and Gaza and the Palestinians. What Netanyahu fails to realize is that for every action there's an exact and opposite reaction. What Netanyahu needs to wonder about and think about is what have we(ISREAL) done to cause the Palestinian reaction. Only that kind of thinking is going to get Israel out of the Middle East mess. Then Netanyahu needs to move out to a trailer in Georgia. He needs to drink his goats milk and get out.
Yes, we have to vote for Biden to keep Trump out, but do we really have freedom in this country anymore? The billionaires own the country. They control who runs for office since they can buy the elections. Once they have their people in office, they can control what laws get passed. The commoners have no say anymore. Soon there will be trillionaires as well as billionaires. They own us.
It being Presidents Day, I write to amplify, at its core, the Biden-Harris campaign ought not only be about organizing and truth-telling, but also about beating back the substantial swath here in the States that traffics in lies, in falsehoods, in hatred, and in divisiveness.
“America, Russia, and Israel are far weaker for having had these thugs at the helm.”
Agreed, but there is a bigger point. Everyone has known what murderous thug Putin has been throughout his tenure as an authoritarian kleptocratic leader of Russia.
Trump has run a fraudulent criminal organization for decades. And Bibi has been a lying kleptocrat since becoming PM of Israel for nearly two decades.
Yet Putin’s rein served as a warning to others; what happens when psychopaths become leaders.
America has come back from the brink of losing its own reputation as an impartial, fair minded country, since Trump took the reins of power; although a lot can be said for Bush’s rein as well. In both scenarios America was flirting with authoritarianism and standing on the edge of a cliff.
And Israel is on precipice of becoming a global pariah whose international reputation will be beyond repair.
Both America and Israel have one last chance redeem themselves by renouncing two would be MAD Kings, bent on sending our respective nations into the abyss.
This is our last chance, and I hope our countries truly recognize what is at stake. Although, If Biden truly wants to restore America’s international reputation, it needs to join the rest of the world and vote to force a cease fire in Gaza, otherwise, whether Trump wins or not, our image will be tarnished forever, because of narcissistic kleptocrat and some messianic Jews who are no better than Hamas.
Not to mention, it’s the right thing to do. Stop the slaughter in Gaza and force a two state solution!
No matter what, US must immediately stop all financial and military weapons support to Israel enabling Netanyahu's mass genocide of Palestinians. You are right, US reputation is still damaged by Trump and continued support of Israel will destroy it sooner than a potential Trump dictatorship and the potential fall of our democracy. Israel is destroying itself.
Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu are all egomaniacs. None of them care about the greater good. They have created a cesspool of corruption and hatred. This President’s Day I vow to do what I can to have citizen Trump not ever step foot in the Oval Office again. We live in scary times. One only has to look at Tucker Carlson, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn MTG, Mike Johnson…. The list is long. VOTE BLUE UP AND DOWN. Never forget what has transpired but let’s learn from it. I wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of Trump shoes.
I mostly agree, but I would not put Churchill on that list. Except for the period of WWII he was basically a colonial era racist conservative, who disliked Ghandi and opposed independence for African nations. He was a brilliant writer and very interesting person, but he was not someone whom I would emulate as a political leader, except for the WWII period. As far as leaders to emulate add Desmond Tutu and Wangari Maathai to the list, among many.
Of your three illustrated bullies, the one I despise the most currently is Bibi Netanyahu. He has actively fought for decades to make Israel a nation of and for Jews only, and he is dedicated to that goal. How he gets rid of the Christians and Muslim Arabs is of no concern to him. He just insists that they be gone. He leads an extremist plurality that just might destroy Israel.
I believe that Ronald Reagan was just a grade B Actor that allowed the financially powerful to basically run his presidential office taking many parts of the Executive like the Dept of Education and changing them to organizations to deprive us of creating upward mobility for all citizens & making them capable of providing special benefits for the rich - ie school vouchers. The Dept of Education stopped creating programs & curriculums to enhance the continued expansion of the middle class.
Since your main perspective is an economist, Dr. Reich, I will make an economic statement for Presidents' Day.
Anyone who STILL sends money to TFG or buys his sneakers, wine, steaks or enriches him in any way is a prisoner of the "sunk cost fallacy" in which, having put their chips on this man, feel the need to double down because to do otherwise would mean they were wrong previously. That is psychologically unacceptable.
Let's not throw good money after bad. Follow my "grandmother rule": Act in such a way your actions would not disappoint your grandmother. (And no, my grandmother was not related to Emmanuel Kant.)
It takes no strength to constantly commit verbal and emotiional (fear, intimidation, ...) violence against people. It takes no strength to send out people to do your physical and other forms of violence for you. It takes no strength to take pleasure in cruelty, violence, and the suffering they create. It takes weakness and lots of it. They are weakmen leaders.
i couldn't help but notice that you only mentioned white men as leaders (well, and thugs). i think there are some exemplary female leaders out there, too. women such as Jacinda Ardern, who, despite intense media and public criticism, basically kept New Zealanders safe during the COVID outbreak (amongst other actions); there was Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, a country which has a large cohort of young female leaders who are strong, thoughtful and incredibly effective; Michelle Bachelet, a human rights advocate and the first woman President of Chile, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was the first democratically-elected woman president anywhere in Africa, who led Liberia through reconciliation and recovery following a decade-long civil war and responded to the Ebola Crisis of 2014–2015.
i could go on, but i think you get the idea. in short, i think men in leadership roles are mostly selfish, sociopathic and corrupt. although mostly overlooked or highly criticised, women generally do a better job governing FOR THE PEOPLE (we could argue the reasons for this at another time.)
NOTE: edited to correct a typo, which made my comments (but not my thoughts!) somewhat muddled.
Mette Fredrikson of Denmark. Kept her people safe from Covid, and she’s still PM today. And the Danes believe in the power of their institutions and that government is a positive force. Their belief in the Uncorruptibility of their Instutions is why Denmark’s “contentment factor” is always so high. Ethical behavior is a Social Value.
In 2015, another of the three thugs on the list went to Copenhagen after a series of shootings -- one targeting the Grand Synagogue. Netanyahu addressed the Jews of Denmark telling them that their real country was Israel, and that they should come "home" to a place that would welcome them with open arms. (Leaving out the fact that a Jew is hundreds of times more likely to be killed in Israel than in Denmark.)
The leaders of Denmark, as well as the Jewish community, did not receive Netanyahu's remarks well. As one put it: "An attack against Jews in Denmark is an attack on all Danes. Our response to such attacks is not to run away."
For historical context, Danes have always supported Jews and “othered” groups:
https://www.thelocal.dk/20150415/turkey-angered-by-copenhagen-sculpture-armenian-genocide
And of course: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/photo/king-christian-x-of-denmark
And the Transgendered: https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/06/12/first-transgender-surgery-christine-jorgensen/
It’s a magical place filled with sensible people ❤️🇩🇰❤️
Plus, they have agreed to supply Ukraine with nearly all ammo from their NATO stockpile.
And they are the home of the amazing Knabstrupper!
The breeder from whom I bought my present horse (16.2 Appy/Arab) has produced a couple of Knab/Appy crosses. She raises lovely sport horse type Appaloosas, but she's been cutting back. Her stallion is in his early 20s now, and I don't see any indication she's kept any of his colts as a possible successor.
When the Nazis occupied Denmark in WW2 & ordered Jews to wear the Star of David, the King appeared in public wearing 1 too.
Now, THAT is leadership!.
Well, The Donald has quipped more than once " Only the little guys in the beanies do My taxes" . . That's pretty broad minded . tho Finish The Job T Shirts are Ok at his rallies . ..
John: Trump’s such a kidder…
He truly makes me nauseous.
I find it peculiar that Netanyahu son is hiding out in the Miami area while persons his own age are being called up to active military duty in Israel .
Netanyahu son Knows Bi Bi Netanyahu better than most people he is not willing to go back to Israel .
Netanyahu Son’s Deliberate choice to Shelter in The USA instead of Serving His Country. If his Decision to Hide in the USA is to be interpreted correctly he doesn’t trust his father to make good decisions about Israel and (attempting to impose a final solution of erasure of the Palestinians ) no one else should risk their lives or fortunes either…
The kid knows his father intentionally wants to avoid Jail and fines and political retribution for being asleep and unwilling to maintain security for his population.
Very difficult to kill your way to peace…
But Israel is funding the son's security costs. He has 8 remaining years of call-up for their defense forces but for all we know the kid could have bone spurs.
Was that a trumpet 🎺 excuse for avoiding military service ???
Exactly.
Or he doesn't want to put his son in harm's way. Benefit of privilege.
Privilege only exists if you let…
Thugs seem to be more likely interested in dividing countries and finding the most disagreeable means to do it .
Look at Marjorie Taylor Greene , a thug if ever there was one .
Supporting all the other thugs with their Noxious behaviors and words.
They find a way to be as ugly as possible in dealing with other human beings . Particularly if you disagree with them .
They all are missing any semblance of integrity or good character.
The Republican Congress is an example of a group of thug s going out of their way to be instructed by more notorious thugs.
Trump telling them to stop the border deal because he wants it as a point of contention.
Trump , Putins thug , refuses to fund Ukraine in deference to a thug that would bury him if he wanted to .
The whole idea of having any sense of decorum or kindness is gone for this group . Thugs don’t need that .
It’s hard to believe the way some thugs in GOP Congress have spoken to dignitaries or specialists in many important areas . They find their skills in harassment and nastiness.
It’s embarrassing to watch them .
We should work very hard to disallow these thugs to hold office of any kind in our country . They are surely beneath it . Netanyahu has taken very great chances of having Israel involved in War Crimes because of his alleged leadership. He’s not a leader he’s a destroyer True for Trump also , another lunatic destroyer.
Be done with these people Before it’s too late .
Yes, but how do we get rid of these cancers in our midst? They are too canny and frighteningly overprotected, secure behind the wall of their loyalists and secure in the knowledge that their martyrdom would only boost their legend among their poisonous ranks. It's the old Hydra metaphor; cut off one head and nine more sprout in its place.
Vote them out! Simple as that.
Sure, B Evans, it is simple-in theory. freedom to do so depends only on what state you live in and what color you are. In any case, you are right in that we should all vote while we still can.
I vote for martyrdom.
Suspect a lot of drug money is involved.
Certainly may be part of the problem. It's always about addiction to money, drugs and/or power. A plague of global proportions.
Patricia, well said. Would you by any chance know the Lanes from Decker Indiana?
Thank you , Linda. No I do not know them , Lane is my late husbands name his parents immigrated to America from Ireland and settled by the Chemung River near Elmira NY . He had several siblings not all were local . But I don’t know if any live in Indiana.
Thomas, Contrary to Danish leaders, when former President Trump had addressed Jewish groups, he had referred to PM Netanyahu as their Prime Minister. Equally disturbing, I had heard him on one occasion saying something to the effect that Jews had better get right with Israel before it’s too late.
While I won’t elaborate on my interpretation, suffice it to say that Jews everywhere only are safe when they reside in democracies.
Ethics. Morals. Decency.
When did we shed these values as a people? In the USA, now, they're not evident. People like trump and Mike Johnson will have a lot to answer for. They and their supporters will NEVER be able to wash the blood off their hands and history is and will record it all. What a legacy (of disgrace!).
Danes are unique. We don’t have these deep cultural wrongs. We never enslaved anyone. Nor did we ever have the Death Penalty. Not our thing.
Vikings were brutal conquerers, for sure. But back at home, hoarding of wealth and violence in the Clan got you banished to Iceland. And we’ve spent our modern history being decent people to atone.
Hoarding of wealth, enslavement, and inter-personal violence are the hallmarks of American culture.
Honestly, Americans would be fish out of water in Denmark. We pick up trash. We “park” our baby strollers and don’t worry about “baby snatchers”. We follow honor systems. We prefer bikes as transport. And we expect others to do the same in our home. If you behave badly as a tourist in Denmark, we call you out. We are painfully truthful and honest.
Americans would find Danish life very difficult. We perceive Social Welfare as being government’s job. Our worst “insult” is to say something is “Anti-social”. We believe in basic minimum income for human dignity; high quality free healthcare for human dignity; free day care; free school thru university….. We serve in the National Guard as an obligation for the Rights Danish citizenship provides. We are genuinely patriotic, in that we want a better Denmark.
Americans would actually have a difficult time in Danish society. We have rules and expectations. Please visit. Take our public transport. Don’t litter. ❤️🇩🇰❤️
A few years ago, I had an all-too-short visit to Denmark as well as brief stops in neighboring Baltic countries. It was my good fortune to have knowledgeable guides in each place, but the statement of one of them has stayed with me over many years. Asked by one of the travelers about the high taxes required to maintain the many social services provided by the state, she said emphatically: "You can't get rich in this country, but you can't get poor either." The more I think about it (and I've reflected on it often during the last few years) and the more I learn about the mountains of unused cash that the wealthy in this country are able to stockpile, the more attractive a country where you can't get rich, but you can't get poor either becomes.
Martha, please don’t paint all Americans with the same broad stroke. There are many here that would like all the things you have mentioned and more, but we have a few monied folks whose greed and power have highjacked our laws and norms, Hopefully we can grow up and oust the oligarch thugs.
My grandparents were Danish immigrants. Lately I have given serious thought to getting a Danish passport through that connection!!
Do it. It means you have not just a Danish but a European passport. I lost mine with Brexit which makes me very unhappy.
Do it now!
You're describing paradise, Martha. At least, it sounds like it to this dispirited American.
Dear Martha,
Many of us in America have very strong values and respectfully live our lives like you and your Danish friends and neighbors do. Please don't give up on us - and continue to call out what you see. The dynamics of how our politics and societal values and norms have evolved in recent years has driven some of us "a bit underground" or we've moved to locations in the US where we can live in alignment with the exceptional values you share above. I live in a unique small town, and being part of a caring neighborhood is truly a tonic for our daily lives -and I work to help make my small town better.
Your sharing reminded me of my time working on board the Holland America Line cruise ships as a naturalist, and after a time I was offered a promotion to an officer role that allowed me to live on the officer deck and be part of the lively day and night activities. We traveled to spectacular places - but most of all I loved the camaraderie and I have never forgotten what a joy it was to work and play together.
What you describe seems to be a more evolved, collaborative, mindful, and loving culture. As a country your economic, social, and government structures sound designed to reinforce good will towards all and respectful care for all that then replenishes your society and rejuvenates the spirit. You can feel your strong sense of duty and belief in service as a way to contribute and nourish your community, and landscapes. I would love to visit and your description has made me confirm that I won't delay in planning a trip to experience your homeland.
What a model Denmark (and a few other nations) could be for so many countries in the world - and especially for the US right now. I have felt in my lifetime this downward spiral and even though I live in a wonderful state I do all I can to embody the beautiful and noble values and ideals that America aspired to be. I feel the pride you have for your country's way of being, and how your history, and heritage has led to a conscious evolution to create a level of self actualization for all citizens. It gives me hope to know that Denmark exists in the world.
I seek to be the change I want to see in the world (where I can) and those actions can ripple far and wide the more we come together to help each other. Thank you Martha - I look forward to learning more about your country and you've inspired me to find a way to reconnect with the old friends that I once knew so well.
Magicgirl, powerful words “ I seek to be the change I want to see in the world…”
The values are great. From your comments about Americans, however, I gather the values do not include refraining from generalizations/prejudices about people from other countries.
I've heard only good things about Denmark from Rufus Gifford, the US ambassador during the Obama years. He and his husband adore Denmark!
Hi fellow Martha! Did you know Martha is a common name in Denmark?
Dzvinka, the challenge is that they won't be around to hear what history has to say and therefore, don't care one wit. Thugs are thugs because they have no moral compass, so are their own guides as to what they can and can't do. They are like 3-year-olds, toddler-men and some toddler-women whose tantrums are devastating rather than just annoying.
They don't care about history.
I agree with you. I have deeply held and cherished values, none of which are represented by MAGA. MAGA unchecked will grind our country into the dust. Let’s not let them.
To be fair, Denmark is just an EXCEPTIONAL nation overall! Oh to be a Dane, Swede or Norwegian.
Lucky me. I'm all three!
I live in the US of A, but I apply my Scandinavian morals and ethics when voting.
Ja, selvfølgelig!
Well, enough of this bragging! The Danes have a lot to learn from the French and Italians about food.
LOL!!! They could at least try to make a decent Swedish meatball.
There are countries that we can try to escape to if Trump is elected where they value their inhabitants.
I've thought about where I'd go if Tr*mpf is reelected, but, as a loyal American, I feel the conflicting need to stay and fight for overturn of his administration if we still have a democracy.
That's what Navalny tried to do. Brave, but dangerous!
Navalny showed the world just how bad Putin really is!
Showed what an amazing coward he is! He was in prison already. Wasn't that bad enough? Putin already decides the elections, so it would be a long time until anyone else would take his 'power', but he still couldn't handle that people think he's a bastard, even in his country. What an amazingly cowardly ridiculous baby!
Don't forget that behind and alongside Putin are all the oligarchs who would rather stay super rich than anything else and will help Putin put down his opponents. If anyone, like Yulia Navalnya, takes up the banner they would have to deal with all the corrupt rich people in Russia. There's a whole cabal that would just as soon keep the current regime in power. It's formidable but not unconquerable. I wonder how many more anti-corruption people will have to die before the people rise up and take Russia back?
Yes- fight fight fight
Right. Why make it easy for them?
Denmark has very restrictive immigration laws. The country is tiny, and has a great economy. It saves its places in the system for genuine refugees; not disgruntled Americans.
I bet that is true. Canada doesn’t want Americans either unless they have plenty of money and a trade/occupation they need and that one is young. No poor old folks please.
The problem here is you first have to learn if Americans are welcome as immigrants in the countries you choose. As we are now in an anti-colonialist era, that premise warrants a pretty close look. Here are the countries that currently welcome US immigrants: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-seeking-american-immigrants.
The principle "problem" I see in this is that way many of those countries - prefer
American immigrants who have a significant level of personal resources to be able to live there after immigrating without - accessing that countries resources
meant for their own native citizens (?) If this is so, that would eliminate me from immigrating - to anywhere in the world where I would feel comfortable ~
and live out the rest of - what's left of my life ~
Dale, important point!
Not very many. Why am I not surprised…
If, God forbid, xxxx is elected, there will be no escape. Instead of agonizing, you can get on the phone to Get Out The Vote. There are opportunities to phone bank all over the country all the time now. Go to Mobilize.us. One such opportunity is a mayoral primary in Milwaukee tomorrow, for example. Search WisDems and sign up to contact voters all day Tuesday. The script includes a question asking every voter whether they plan to vote for Biden in November. The plan is to begin to have these conversations with voters now, and to encourage infrequent voters to go to the polls in Milwaukee tomorrow and feel more a part of the impetus. Let's make sure that xxxx is never elected anything again so you can put your energies into more fully participating in our democracy, rather than strategizing some futile, fantastical escape.
Amen!
That would make you a refugee. I think things would have to get much worse here for US citizens to have refugee status. You’d have to overstay your visa and hope they don’t figure it out.
I am eligible for dual American/British citizenship, and I wonder if that would give me entre into Canada. I've visited Vancouver several times and found it rather like San Francisco (but that was a while ago).
You'd have to get that UK citizenship thing sorted first and probably have to come from the UK rather than the States. You'd also need to have skills Canada wants and some money.
https://canadaabroad.com/immigrate/immigrate-to-canada-from-the-uk/
Well, I have a decent retirement account, but as a legal assistant, I don't necessarily think my skills would translate to Canadian law. ;0) Besides, I'm 79, and I'd be bringing a horse. I DO have relatives in Vancouver though..... I filled out some forms on a UK site and they say I am eligible for a UK Passport (mother, grandmother, great-gran, etc. all British citizens at one time). It's just a passing thought - I'm a bit old to be making that big a move at this time. Damn sure I'm going to help get out the vote this year, though.
Let’s not let Trump win. Trump wins we’re all losers.
In the film Who Shall We Invade Next, Michael Moore interviewed the female president of one of Iceland’s banks. I’m sry I can’t remember her name. She said the banks headed by women in Iceland did not melt down in the mortgage mess, “Women don’t buy something they don’t understand”.
Sorry, a bit off topic, but I got a reply to a comment I made on a Robert Reich YouTube video to contact @Mr_Robert_ReichYT-On_Telegram
It seems like a scam. Does anyone know more about this?
Yep, lots of scamming related to Reich's posts. I regularly get bogus invitations to "contact" him.
Thanks. It looks authentic. ... but seriously? A MacBook and an electronic guitar?
This woman is phenomenal! She does seem to be a much better leader than other European nations have. However, corruption infects women too.
Seriously? Bothsidesism? Women have JUST started being allowed to share power! Was Gold Meir corrupt? What do you know? Men have been power for MILLENIA. Seriously? Name 5 woman Presidents or Prime Ministers. The only Right Winger currently in actual power is Giorgia Meloni.
Margaret Thatcher was a cold, scheming bitch - but I doubt she was corrupt.
Wow! I am not a both sider. Just read the threads and stop attacking. There has been talk of thatcher being corrupt. Why attack someone on your side?
Having worked for a female boss who was just as selfish and sociopathic as any male, I must respectfully disagree. Women have just as much capacity for good and evil as any man, Margaret Thatcher being a recent prominent example of the latter.
Very true. There are some real evil examples in the House of Representatives!
Women have a much lower level of testosterone. Ugly women in power just model the cruelty of the testosterone laden men they see.
Just because there are wicked examples among females does not mean they have the equivalent malevolence of males.
And not all males are wicked. Sweeping generalizations aren't helpful.
But I stand by testosterone being the most dangerous drug known.
More dangerous than money?
Beg to differ on the malevolence. Men get angry, blow out can do a lot of damage, for sure, but malevolence, [literally wanting evil to befall someone, I think women "win" [if I can say win for that]. Women will hold a grudge much longer, thinking about how they are going to get even. When they pounce, Yikes! Mrs Bobbitt. That is not to deny that it is really more of an individual thing.
Don''t tel me you Fell for The Lady MacBeth trope . .Shakespeare was a bit Woke, you know .. .like with that ditherer Hamlet . .who Finally! acted like a Real Man .. ..
Janet,
I used to see the world half full, in fact for 45 years in my careers in the helping professions. But, I have realized I had rose colored glasses and did not have the realistic view that people do 'what they want'. If that is poisoning the land, and they want to, they do it. If it is insatiable greed in inheritances or Congress, they build the path to doing it. If it is comfort, they gain it.
I was fortunately trained in a woman's voice and found my own unique voice. It was however, not the values of greed, power and prestige, thus crushed. I have come to the conclusion that it is a matter of human consciousness. Some have grown this inclusively, most have not. AS much as I learned about this in my young years, it took my experience to realize how really true it is. I always hoped that one good thing from the terrifying Chinese invasion of Tibet, would lead to the wider knowledge of the Dali Lama, Tibetan Buddhism and other forms, might raise the general consciousness.
AS to learned behavior, there was a book in the 1960s, The Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire, that rang true. Have a look.
I agree with you. But not a fan of skinner,and his cruel "experiments"
I'll just put these statistics out there. "the studies" [from the FBI] seem to agree that males are a lot more violent than women. Just saying:
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/tables/42tabledatadecoverviewpdf/table_42_arrests_by_sex_2012.xls
When I see men being trained in the military, and the sergeant is yelling at them, in their face, and they stand there and take it just because the sergeant outranks them, I am amused: Women have a different way to get even, like mixing Nair in his shampoo or lacing his chocolates with eX-lax.
From habit and customs, women have been able to put up with a lot more abuse, but when they've had their fill, beware!
They say: "Hell has no fury like a woman scorned". Well. it is not *just* a woman scorned.
Norm B. She was writing about exemplary leaders.
Let's throw into that lot the covert power behind party animal Kim Jong Un of North Korea, his sister who is as ruthless and calculating as any thug we've ever witnessed.
No. The point is that there are women who also are true leaders, which doesn’t mean there aren’t female thugs as well . . . But, due to male dominance generally, there have been more male thugs who, again, have more destructive power.
GrrlScientist, thank you so much for reminding us to lift conscious women up too. I am not familar with most you mentioned, so thank you for teaching me.
And I agee with you that women are often better leaders, more suited to strengthening democracies, because they operate less from ego than men. Biologically women are more nurturing, open-hearted, sensitive to the needs of people, and more averse to violence. Historicallu, the women leaders with little ego have been suppressed, ridiculed, and even tortured and killed (the real witch trials) because their egalitarian views were feared as obstacles to egoic male power. Although, I think the egoic grip is loosening in some men and this is healthy for them as individuals and the world.
as a scientist (whose PhD was a study of hormones no less!), i am wary of the "biologically women are ... " argument. i actually think some women can be as cold, ruthless and egotistical as most men, but because women come from a vastly different SOCIAL culture -- we're overlooked, have unequal access to resources, jobs, recognition and other benefits, and are systematically treated unfairly and poorly compared to white men -- we have a different experience of the world that we live in and a more open perception of the world that we WANT to live in -- a world that benefits everyone.
note that i am speaking in generalities, here. and i doubt that hormones play much of a role, although we are still trying to figure this out.
GrrlScientist, In my view, your studies, affording you a unique opportunity to distinguish biological explanations from how women experience the effects of sexism, are most illuminating. Thank you for writing.
GrrlScientist, that's okay we have different opinions on it. In the intelligent design of life, I think because females are those who bear the offspring, they are designed to be more nurturing and attentive to ensure the survival of their offspring. But I also believe that yes, in some women this has been suppressed, not allowed, and wounded by violent egos in their childhood, culture, and the world at large.
I've met some of the cold, ruthless ones. They inhabit the general population too.
Hormones R us. We fool ourselves into thinking we have free will, but out hormones drive human behavior, eating, aggression, reproduction, sex, submission.
The biological argument reeks of eugenics to me.
Murder?
The best way to determine whether generalities are true would be to examine some representative groups according to some preestablished criteria. And then the causes of such differences, if they are found, is something else again.
Just need to eliminate those who “grovel” for power. The megalomaniacs and egoists such as Stefanik, Lake, Mace, Nome, etc.
I would include Harriet Tubman. I recently visited the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Station Museum. I learned a lot.
You are right, GrrlScientist. There have been some truly remarkable, great women that have been very strong leaders. Trust me, there will be more! There has been a lot of men who were basically corrupt thugs. There are many articles and essays that I have read that discuss the fact that women in leadership tend to have less corruption. It is interesting to read those.
My two cents here: Many cultures throughout the world, and especially with some native American cultures, when a prisoner was to be tortured they gave the job to the women.
I bring attention to the Scythians and Sarmatians, whom Herodotus called Amazons, they had women warriors, in fact Pliny wrote that the Sarmatians required of their women to fight in battle and slay a foe to win the right to marry. Many graves of women warriors have been found in the kurgans of the steppes and in Viking Burials as well.
A Chinese Woman Led the Largest and Most Successful Pirate Fleet in History. Sometimes called, Zheng Yi Sao or "Wife of Zheng Yi," she's known to history as Ching Shih for what she accomplished once he died
An as always there is Boadicea the Icenian warrior queen that came close to wiping out the Roman presence in Britain.
The diminishment of women, seems to be a Mediterranean thing, Greece and then Rome spread it into Europe via the Catholic church
I enjoyed reading that, Lee!
I think you’re right with these examples that show that true leadership exists in women and not just men.. On the other hand, let us not confer sainthood or demonhood on a gender considering them intrinsically superior or inferior. Rather recognize them all as humans who are capable of good or evil and judge them on their actions. The MAGA crowd gives a great illustration of this with plenty examples of both males and females exalting and emulating shamelessly their non-leader head.
Came here to say exactly this about the lack of women (though only a couple of non-white men, when there are many more who could be in the list). In all of human history, Robert, you couldn’t find any women to include in your list? Or did you just not think about it? Shame on you either way.
Women do not possess an intrinsic ability to do good anymore than a man has the ability to do good.
Women are just people and so are men just people . Having a particular kind of sex organ is not any kind of qualification for higher office.. however, any country that ignore half of its population(Women) is operating with only half of its Brain power.
well ... to be fair, although he didn't specifically STATE HIS ARGUMENT AS SUCH, professor reich had narrowed down his comments to american presidents, NOT leaders of other nations -- i only realized this after i'd posted my response and looked over his initial piece that triggered this discussion.
Yes, but then he says “zoom out from American presidents,” and he doesn’t name any women there either.
He was talking about Presidents. We haven't had one female yet!
GrrlScientist ; was Jacinda Ardern the same leader who immediately banned guns after a mass shooter episode?
yes.
I wish we had a leader like that.
Well said, and most importantly, needed to be said. I agree with you that, although there are far fewer women leaders of countries around the world, those countries that are governed by women leaders, by and large, are fortunate people and societies. They are more likely to share a positive sense of well being, confidence in and reliability on fair governance of individual and family human lifetime based supportive services and institutions. As is the norm in developed countries, health care, child care, education including college and graduate education, with built-in societal infrastructure maintains a better quality of life. Women, by nature, have more inclination and propensity for collaboration and negotiation and far less spotlight seeking competition. The four women leaders you brought attention to in your opening statement are indeed exemplary, and deserving of historical recognition.
Great examples of women leaders who focus on the commons and common good. We’ve ignored the obvious patriarchy in major religious institutions and its corruption of common values.
Jessica Craven for the people
https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/extra-extra-218?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=zc69i&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Channel Taylor Swift.
Thank you, GrrrlScientist, for taking the words out of my mouth. Although actually doing a much better job on the subject than I would have done. Keep spreading the news . . .
You failed to mention Margaret Thatcher who was a thug if ever we saw one. Great leaders and thugs come in every gender, race, sexual attraction and religious affiliation. Professor Reich did, indeed, fail to mention women in his list of great leaders and thugs, which is not surprising, since most leaders have been men, because of misogyny and our societal stereotypes regarding masculine and feminine traits, but your claim about male leaders is based solidly in misandry.
I am so glad to see you talk about these wonderful and all to few female leaders in the true sense of the word. While your points about our male leaders are accurate, you didn’t mention what tends to make them that way; and that’s TESTOSTERONE. While men have the audacity to pontificate about women and our possible “oversensitivity” because of our “time of the month” and whatever they think that might entail, no one has mentioned how dangerous a testosterone-driven man might become. That’s not to say that women can’t make the hard decisions, Golda Meir comes to mind or that they too can’t rule with a fist; think Margaret Thatcher. History is replete with strong women in leadership roles. Some were good, some not so much but like you, I would much rather be led by someone with a heart rather than one with a sword.
I have been shouting for and supporting a wave of female leaders in Michigan for the last fifteen years as my faith in just, honest, empathetic males has gotten weaker and weaker as we watch the horrors of, particularly white males, established leadership and politicians.
I agree with you grrlScientist
And you also are fantastically truthful, thank you for pointing this out!
is there a connection between the newly released suggestion that Putin is developing nukes in space to hijack/ interrupt/ blackmail satellite networks from operating with state secrets we can believe djt shared/ sold/ gave to putin?
takes djt’s “ only i can fix the it” to an interstellar level…
i’m tired and scared and tired of being scared
Mweiner, I was feeling the same way not too long ago! I backed away from watching too much news feeds and substacks. It helped. I was able to take a breath relax and fix my thoughts on what I needed to do. Once I felt rejuvenated, I got back on track, got busy with petitions, letter writing, and spreading the truth. I hope you feel better and don't be scared. Everything will work out and President Biden will continue to lead!!
Well you should be scared. We should ALL be scared. WWIII is lurking around the corner if Russia wins Ukraine. He ALREADY is lining up along the Baltic States (as he did before he attacked Ukraine) which belong to NATO. If he attacks, we are headed for WWIII!
If Putin gets a hold of Ukraine, then Moldova is next, There is an enclave called Transnistra, which has it's own flag and is an unofficial country, that is old line Soviet that is officially the eastern part of Moldova nestled against Ukraine. Moldova will fall easily, but what Putin really wants is the Suwalki Gap, this is a stretch of land, and open plain, which has been the invasion route for centuries (Napoleon used it Hitler too), that stretches from Kaliningrad on the Baltic to Belarus.
Kaliniingrad is Russia/s warm water port, but it is isolated from Russia by Poland and Lithuania. The Suwalki gap is the border between Lithuania and Poland. Putin wants both.
If Ukraine falls, Putin will fall back to refit, re organize and resupply, before attacking Lithuania and the west, and the yellow stripers, will breathe a sigh of relief, believing that once again they have peace to enjoy their toys and comfortable life style.
Read a statement the other day,Putin said that he considered Russia already at war with the collective western powers!
Ever since he got kicked out of E Berlin with his tail between his legs. .. Never got over it .. .
I have pretty good reasons to believe that Putin would never attack the Baltic states. He's going to have his hands completely full just TRYING to occupy whatever he thinks he has gained in Ukraine.
The place that worries me far more is North Korea. It's shaping up like Jonestown before the Kool-Aid.
I am repeating this comment .
If Putin gets a hold of Ukraine, then Moldova is next, There is an enclave called Transnistra, which has it's own flag and is an unofficial country, that is old line Soviet that is officially the eastern part of Moldova nestled against Ukraine. Moldova will fall easily, but what Putin really wants is the Suwalki Gap, this is a stretch of land, and open plain, which has been the invasion route for centuries (Napoleon used it Hitler too), that stretches from Kaliningrad on the Baltic to Belarus.
Kaliniingrad is Russia/s warm water port, but it is isolated from Russia by Poland and Lithuania. The Suwalki gap is the border between Lithuania and Poland. Putin wants both.
If Ukraine falls, Putin will fall back to refit, re organize and resupply, before attacking Lithuania and the west, and the yellow stripers, will breathe a sigh of relief, believing that once again they have peace to enjoy their toys and comfortable life style.
Seems I heard that before say in late 2021: https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2021-11-23/putin-spokesman-russia-wont-invade-ukraine-unless-its-provoked . Do we ever learn to judge by actions and not words?
The actions I am judging by are the fact that Russia has lost a heluva lot of men and equipment in its two-year stalemate -- and hasn't even begun to try to occupy. And this considering the fact that much of Ukraine's eastern region is composed of ethnic Russians with separatist intentions.
That, and the actions of war were taking place between Russian and Ukraine in the years leading up to the invasion. The "Donbas War" started in 2014.
That, and the fact that the Baltic states are NATO nations and don't have any Russian separatist movements -- as did/does Ukraine.
That, and there's a new NATO nation with a 1,340 km border with Russia: Finland. Putin knows his history and knows that the Finns put a serious hurt on the Soviets in their 1939 war. None of his actions have ever struck me as "stupid."
Thomas humans are a self renewing resource and Russia and it's allies will replace the equipment. All he needs is time to replenish and refit.
For the benefit of readers, Russia's population has been in decline for decades -- LOW birthrate. And extremely poor life-expectancy. Thousands of young men have fled the country -- many the best and brightest.
Therefore, the "self-renewing" part has to be taken with a good measure of соль.
Your post echoes Kremlin talking points. There is no evidence that Russia cares about their own casualties when it comes to furthering their ambitions. 200000 a year ago and counting means nothing. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/us/politics/ukraine-russia-casualties.html
The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that Russia plans to double its military presence along the borders it has with the Baltic states of Estonia, Finland, and Latvia.
“Russians are planning to increase the military force along the Baltic states’ border but also the Finnish border,” said Kaupo Rosin, director-general of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service this week, ahead of the annual Munich Security Conference that begins tomorrow. “We will highly likely see an increase of manpower, about doubling, perhaps. We will see an increase in armed personnel carriers, tanks, artillery systems over the coming years.”
Polish President Andrzej Duda confirmed last August a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia had moved some of its tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus in July. Tactical nuclear weapons are so-called “battlefield” short-range nukes intended for use during ground warfare.
From Lucian Truscott Substack (below)
https://open.substack.com/pub/luciantruscott/p/trumps-nato-threat-has-a-nervous?r=24p296&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=pos
"Russia plans to double its military presence along the borders...over the coming years."
LOL!!! Okey dokey.
That’s what might Russian dental hygienist said about invading Ukraine when the Russians were lined up on the border. She didn’t believe they would until they did.
Why else did he take all those classified documents to a basement in Florida?
While some people consider public office an opportunity to bring about a greater good for the country. Others such as Trumpet 🎺 , Netanyahu , Putin, Stalin. Hitler See public office as an once in a lifetime opportunity to Steal , and /or be Brined a great deal of Money.
The only way to stop thumpet🎺 is to destroy his wealth the only thing he cares about; the item he uses to guide all his decisions Donny Trumpet 🎺 WALLET!!!
To date trumpet 🎺 has Enriched himself more than any other President in history…
He is still raking in the money. He will use it to pay for all his court fines. His adoring followers will do anything for him which is a good reason to be fearful.
Well said !
his grievances increase he seems more authentic to his followers
One of these days he will suggest koolaid to them!
Hitler wasn't motivated by money, more dangerously he was motivated by his own ideology and ego. Trump is money and ego, Netanyahu money and ego, Stalin by ego and ideology, in the end, the final end, it is all about ego, and delusions of grandeur.
Most wars in history have been fought to create buffer zones, Regions that will act as a buffer between the center of power and potential hostile forces.
Stalin used eastern Europe as a buffer between Russia and the west, and he treated the countries as satrapy's ruled by approved puppet governments.
Putin is following Stalin's model, he already has one in place in Belarus, and others in the Stans.
As I understand it Hitler was funded by the industrial complex and their customers the German army…
Their original goal was profit from rearming I don’t know where the kill the Jews came from except that it was/is common to hear that the Jews killed Jesus during advent Easter etc. And that’s why god hasent taken us up to heaven to be with him ( god)
Not have to work free everything etc…
Adults still believe that nonsense…
Hitler used it to motivate his followers and kill all the bad people…
Political motivation, and encouraged by some of the major non-Jewish faiths
True the German military industrial complex did finance Hitler, they thought that they could control him, so did Henry Ford and Prescott Bush, daddy of G H W Bush and granddaddy of Dubya.
If really interested learn more download free https://www.academia.edu/49222235/The_Crime_and_Punishment_of_I_G_Farben?email_work_card=view-paper
You might be astonished to learn that American and German corporations were meeting in Switzerland after D Day to strategize how to save the German corporations.
As regards Hitler and the Jews, there is a long history of Jew hatred in Europe, and Hitler in Mein Kampf blamed the Jews for everything, and called them the father of lies, and then hired Goebbels the real father of lies.
Hitler diden’t creat the Jew as Christ killers he just used it and/or believed it from what he learned as a member of European society…
Bad crops blame the Jews, Famine blame the Jews, bad Storms blame the Jews, scapegoating is an excuse every society uses to divert blame from the guilty to the actual causes…or the beneficiaries…
And he will continue to do so until he's stopped. If only people would wise up and stop falling for his ridiculous grifts like his new hideous sneakers. Hopefully, a conviction or two will finally have an impact on his shrinking finances as well as his frightening reelection efforts thar would turns us into a Banana Republic if he were to win.
I like "thumper" the best! It's just that "Thumper" was such a cute bunny.
I think prince bonesaw will help him out I hope to read his obituary soon
A few things I've learned from Buddhism help me here. One is the idea that everything is impermanent and subject to change. That reminds me I have control over nothing but my own actions. Much of the time I can stop tying myself into knots over terrible things that others are doing and think of ways to address the suffering they cause. If media are causing you to despair, you can turn away from them altogether or choose wisely, which is why I follow Robert Reich.
Well put. A better world is possible and choices matter.
Amen.
I think they've been working on it a long time. I can imagine why the rethug idiot wanted to make a splash about this incredible threat: he wanted the Ukraine aid bill to pass, or he wanted fodder for the Biden-is-incompetent meme. You pick
So true. I’m getting numb with one existential crisis after another.
The greatest leaders are those who lead by example and do not take advantage of others! They respect all of their citizens and show that by promoting policies that benefit their citizens. They are authentic and as honest as they can be.
The worst leaders are not leaders of the people. They are narcissists who demand loyalty from their followers. They don’t care about anyone else but themselves and how they can benefit from others to satisfy their desires! In their minds they are the only ones who can fix society’s problems.
Very well said, Keith!!
Beautifully said Dr. Reich on President's Day. Thank you. Your words give me hope that enough patriotic Americans will wake up in time for November to Vote out this horrible threat from within. Keep up the great work. We need and appreciate you!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
It seems the thugs of the world have developed a wedgie in their B. V. D,s. That's Bibi, Vlad, and Donnie. All three autocrats are members of a society that would be better off without them.
Donald Hodgins ; Very creative!
Laurie--They just love the taste of ass floss.
Donald ; Such a use of creativity! Even if kinda disgusting!
Laurie--Consider the source, my Ex would contest to my personal integrity. Disgusting as it may seem.
Creativity is often not reflective of integrity, since you are here, you can't be bad.
Laurie-- my departed mother would agree with you.
Gee; I wonder why?
Excellent point. The world would be a much better place without these three very twisted tyrants. You would think with Bibi's popularity in Israel sitting at about 27%, his days in power should numbered. Unfortunately, as long as he's in charge, the awful situation in Gaza won't be resolved.
Rick--No matter who is in charge over there the situation will remain unsolved. The death and destruction will never stop until Hamas is dealt with.
Hamas is just one head of the hydra. At some point, Bibi must go and the the Palestinians like the Israeli's deserve their own state. With both sides trying to eradicate each other, the mindset has to change before any progress will be made.
Rick--Exactly--
Rick--A two state system will only work if Hamas is no longer a viable entity.
All three are folks whose obituaries I will not be sorry to read.
Susan--I should live so long.
It puzzles me that people equate manliness, popularity, self-worth, intelligence and leadership with the "strong man" mentality. A strong man is one who feels compassion, empathy, charity, kindness and well-being. A strong man would make decisions based on facts and the truth. He/She most definitely would NOT strut around preening like a peacock over winning at fist-a-cuffs or waging war. A strong man would not care if people made disparaging remarks over his/her looks or actions and would not petulantly claim those that made them an enemy and would be "dealt with". I look for a leader that inspires and lifts up everyone. A leader that remains calm and steadfast and is sure in his/her thinking. Alexei Navalny was more of a leader than putin ever hoped to be. He worked for the people of his country to make life better for them. That is something putin has no interest in. History is full of examples of excellent leaders that will never be forgotten and will always be quoted. History is also full of examples of evil little men that only amount to a footnote on a page. On President's Day, I want to remember our finest leaders and their contributions to America that helped shape her into a great country. I want to look ahead to what America can continue to become as long as we keep a leader in the White House like President Biden. Vote Blue America!!
Completely agree! Biden isn’t an entertainer…he’s the President for God’s sake! He’s not here to put on a show and make you feel better…Sell you gold sneakers or perfume and steal your hard earned money. Go to a comedy club if that’s what you’re looking for. He is doing a serious job of running the country. Juggling every day events that you’re not even aware of. STOP comparing him to Trump. There is no comparison. Trump is a white trash thug who is out for himself and doesn’t care about you or America. He would sell his children to make a buck. Wake up and stop talking about this election as if it’s normal and we have two normal candidates running for President. We have a thug trying to destroy our country to be a dictator and we have a decent man trying to save our democracy.
Tell it like it is, Betty!! Very powerful words and I completely agree with every one of them!!!
Yes, Peggy, and I highly recommend the book "Abraham Lincoln" by Carl Sandburg. It is wonderful to reread at this time.
Thanks, Lark, I will pick that up at the library. I like Carl Sandburg and I'm sure I will like this one, too!
Your comments resonate with my own feelings, especially about what it means to be a strong man. Mean have to speak up and out against the strong man stereotype. They have to own it, now as never before.
Yes mam, they do! Men must show not only with words but actions how very wrong this strong man stereotype is and flip the script on it. Help people learn what a true strong man acts like. By the way, it is most definitely NOT trump and his cohorts!!
Well said. I think you'll appreciate this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eefKb6EPMzc&pp=ygUfYmVhdSBvZiB0aGUgZmlmdGggY29sdW1uIGFscGhhIA%3D%3D
WOW! Thank you G G!! Very powerful video. He spoke with such clarity and I agreed with everything he said!! I hope that spreads around the country!!
I agree with you except I'm not enamored with Biden. Most of the good he has managed was because of his agreement with Bernie Sanders. The Israeli mess is going to hurt him in November.
Agreed! It's obvious that some people are going to hurt biden in November if they don't figure out that Trump equates to autocracy and dictatorship while Biden represents freedom in this country. The question is, are these people that are most sympathetic to the Taliban mentality in the Middle East, or would they prefer freedom in the United States? That's a real question for those who support Gaza and Hamas.
I total agree that Netanyahu has gone too far in the strike on Hamas and Gaza and the Palestinians. What Netanyahu fails to realize is that for every action there's an exact and opposite reaction. What Netanyahu needs to wonder about and think about is what have we(ISREAL) done to cause the Palestinian reaction. Only that kind of thinking is going to get Israel out of the Middle East mess. Then Netanyahu needs to move out to a trailer in Georgia. He needs to drink his goats milk and get out.
Yes, we have to vote for Biden to keep Trump out, but do we really have freedom in this country anymore? The billionaires own the country. They control who runs for office since they can buy the elections. Once they have their people in office, they can control what laws get passed. The commoners have no say anymore. Soon there will be trillionaires as well as billionaires. They own us.
It being Presidents Day, I write to amplify, at its core, the Biden-Harris campaign ought not only be about organizing and truth-telling, but also about beating back the substantial swath here in the States that traffics in lies, in falsehoods, in hatred, and in divisiveness.
“America, Russia, and Israel are far weaker for having had these thugs at the helm.”
Agreed, but there is a bigger point. Everyone has known what murderous thug Putin has been throughout his tenure as an authoritarian kleptocratic leader of Russia.
Trump has run a fraudulent criminal organization for decades. And Bibi has been a lying kleptocrat since becoming PM of Israel for nearly two decades.
Yet Putin’s rein served as a warning to others; what happens when psychopaths become leaders.
America has come back from the brink of losing its own reputation as an impartial, fair minded country, since Trump took the reins of power; although a lot can be said for Bush’s rein as well. In both scenarios America was flirting with authoritarianism and standing on the edge of a cliff.
And Israel is on precipice of becoming a global pariah whose international reputation will be beyond repair.
Both America and Israel have one last chance redeem themselves by renouncing two would be MAD Kings, bent on sending our respective nations into the abyss.
This is our last chance, and I hope our countries truly recognize what is at stake. Although, If Biden truly wants to restore America’s international reputation, it needs to join the rest of the world and vote to force a cease fire in Gaza, otherwise, whether Trump wins or not, our image will be tarnished forever, because of narcissistic kleptocrat and some messianic Jews who are no better than Hamas.
Not to mention, it’s the right thing to do. Stop the slaughter in Gaza and force a two state solution!
No matter what, US must immediately stop all financial and military weapons support to Israel enabling Netanyahu's mass genocide of Palestinians. You are right, US reputation is still damaged by Trump and continued support of Israel will destroy it sooner than a potential Trump dictatorship and the potential fall of our democracy. Israel is destroying itself.
Well said!
Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu are all egomaniacs. None of them care about the greater good. They have created a cesspool of corruption and hatred. This President’s Day I vow to do what I can to have citizen Trump not ever step foot in the Oval Office again. We live in scary times. One only has to look at Tucker Carlson, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn MTG, Mike Johnson…. The list is long. VOTE BLUE UP AND DOWN. Never forget what has transpired but let’s learn from it. I wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of Trump shoes.
Well said.
Can’t we just have PEACE ☮️
Piece of Poland, piece of France …. Remember that appeasement for peace sake didn’t work out so well.
Sake may well divide among friends... But thugs?
I mostly agree, but I would not put Churchill on that list. Except for the period of WWII he was basically a colonial era racist conservative, who disliked Ghandi and opposed independence for African nations. He was a brilliant writer and very interesting person, but he was not someone whom I would emulate as a political leader, except for the WWII period. As far as leaders to emulate add Desmond Tutu and Wangari Maathai to the list, among many.
I like to paraphrase one of Churchill's most famous quotes and apply it to one of the thugs on the list:
"Never in the course of human events have so much time, energy, and efforts been invested by so many in someone so worthless."
He had some great one-liners!
And won a Nobel Prize for Literature.
I agree. Churchill, while a true femocrat, was another bully.
Of your three illustrated bullies, the one I despise the most currently is Bibi Netanyahu. He has actively fought for decades to make Israel a nation of and for Jews only, and he is dedicated to that goal. How he gets rid of the Christians and Muslim Arabs is of no concern to him. He just insists that they be gone. He leads an extremist plurality that just might destroy Israel.
The Israeli flag says it all ..
I believe that Ronald Reagan was just a grade B Actor that allowed the financially powerful to basically run his presidential office taking many parts of the Executive like the Dept of Education and changing them to organizations to deprive us of creating upward mobility for all citizens & making them capable of providing special benefits for the rich - ie school vouchers. The Dept of Education stopped creating programs & curriculums to enhance the continued expansion of the middle class.
Thom Hartmann (Substack) feels Reagan was a traitor for paying for weapons to the Contras and should have been tried for treason.
Since your main perspective is an economist, Dr. Reich, I will make an economic statement for Presidents' Day.
Anyone who STILL sends money to TFG or buys his sneakers, wine, steaks or enriches him in any way is a prisoner of the "sunk cost fallacy" in which, having put their chips on this man, feel the need to double down because to do otherwise would mean they were wrong previously. That is psychologically unacceptable.
Let's not throw good money after bad. Follow my "grandmother rule": Act in such a way your actions would not disappoint your grandmother. (And no, my grandmother was not related to Emmanuel Kant.)
They are all weakmen leaders.
It takes no strength to constantly commit verbal and emotiional (fear, intimidation, ...) violence against people. It takes no strength to send out people to do your physical and other forms of violence for you. It takes no strength to take pleasure in cruelty, violence, and the suffering they create. It takes weakness and lots of it. They are weakmen leaders.
Thank you …