Professor Reich: watching the DNC from overseas has been the best, most exhilarating and most optimistic event i've EVER seen on my home big screen. not sure how i'd react if i was one of the lucky ones in attendance, but i do know i'd completely lose my voice from all the joyful sounds i know i'd make if i was there to be a small contribution to the sea of happiness there.
Girl Scientist, I felt the excitement too and I am watching on my home TV in Pennsylvania. I think that's because the whole convention has been as remarkable as it seems, speech after speech beautifully presented. What a week, and we have one more night!
Ruth, I am also in Pennsylvania and am so grateful for the powerful, joyful vibes this convention is exuding. I could not even bring myself to watch the RNC for more than a few minutes as I felt the vengeful loathing for America, women, children and all the rights we hold dear. Hope is the best medicine for what ails us and Kamala Harris is writing a generous prescription.
The sad part is that the majority of MAGA people are not the 1%; They are a bunch of average willfully deluded fools who refuse to understand that they have signed onto their own demise.
That may be true, Ilene, but judging by the popular votes in the elections since 2016 and including 2016, there are a lot more of us than there are of them.
also, I don't know if you've noticed, but the Trump crowds are getting sparse, and the reason is simple: He is boring: he has no fresh material to excite his crowds. It's always the same slogans, attacks, personal insults. Those who live on hatred get their treat, their daily high, but even among Trumpers, some leave before he's done, yawn or fall asleep. I have a Trumper at home, and I can tell you, his enthusiasm is down to a low simmer.
One of the messages resonating with him, besides the abortion question, is the "rich against the poor" with rich folks avoiding jail time but common folks getting hauled to jail. So much so that I might make a Bernie supporter out of him yet!
He is still all in on the border problem, but that's about it, and I have shown him that there was a deal on the table but Trump tanked it to have at least one plank to run on. He replies that it was a very bad deal. Does anyone have details on that deal? [I'm not giving up] On Ukraine, he laments the money going there [but somehow, he is illogically not lamenting on the billions of dollars that we have given to Israel since its inception in 1948.
I’m sorry to hear that you are living with a Trumper; that is a very difficult thing to deal with. Like talking to a wall, but I do hope he will be convinced soon to support the candidates that are running to benefit all of us.
Yep. It can be tough, but it is sometimes very funny, like when he said, in all earnest: "Did you hear? Hillary Clinton is in Gitmo". I started laughing and couldn't stop.
Or this one: "You know, I think Hitler was right on this one: there are 2 kinds of Jews: The white ones and the black ones. The mistake was to send the good ones to Israel. We should have sent the black ones".
I pointed out to him that besides the crass racism, how could Hitler, who died in 1945 have made a pronouncement of any kind about Israel and whether the black ones or the white ones should have been sent there since Israel didn't exist until 1948. Then I laughed and laughed. I still laugh when I think about it.
Whenever he gets caught flat footed in one of those, his standard reply is :" Well, that's what I heard.
I once told him: Well, I hope these are not just "voices in your head". That would be alarming. You could, however, make a note of where you heard it and not listen to that source any more.
Lets not dehumanize Trump supporters. If we do, then we become part of the program used by Trump, Hitler, and all the other dictators alive today who try to separate us.
It is hard to understand how anyone can follow Trump, I know. But very sophisticated psychological tactics have been used. and once your Tribe has its norms, it is hard to stand against your social connections. Lets ush for better education too,,,and more honest education .
Elizabeth, I whole heartedly agree with you. Maybe there is no way to convince many of Trump's followers, but any that we do reach improve our odds for the long run! We must find a way to be welcoming, to offer an alternate "safe place" to the cult they might actually want to leave!
So what do we do about these "sophisticated psychological tactics". Most of the people whom I know that support the Trumper listen to Fox News or something similar over and over again in their car or truck. As people who were once part of a robust middle class they have seen their real incomes (and their prospects for better incomes) eroding for many years and they are upset about it. And Trump gives them someone to blame and re-directs their anger towards Immigrants and Democrats, and gives them a simplistic solution (Elect me and I will fix it). Which sounds great to a lot of these folks, who frequently are not too well educated.
Of course it’s wrong to dehumanize other human beings. Yet anger and frustration at their obtuseness and unwillingness to consider promoting the common good provoke these feelings. We are up against an internal enemy who appears like the rest of us but who do not want to abandon the toxic goals of the huckster to whom they have sold their souls.
I have to agree. And, I know some of these people. They are uninformed, they've been conned. They actually believe he will help the economy because they get their information from FOX news or Facebook. They are good people who actually believe there is still a Republican party. I ask myself, often, how they can be duped by MAGA and Trump. I keep praying they will have their eyes opened.
And, of course, I know there are others who are right-wing extremists, violent and conspiracy believers who want Project 2025's playbook.
I think you will find that nearly all of them nearly always watch Fox Cable news only. But, I think that human nature is such that they want someone to blame for their own depressing condition, which they have somehow been washed into by the micro invironment of their life.
We all face the task of making sense of life, and our place in it. But we are only human, and herd instincts more often than not guide our beliefs.
I agree. Fox News ought to be shut down by the FCC on the grounds that it is subversive and treasonous to America. Rupert Murdoch et.al are monsters in expensive suits who should be stripped of their fortunes and their power to buy toxic influence.
They share a stunted developmental condition also seen in the population of thwarted development in middle easter captive regiemes.
Abuse mutual abuse hostage situations.
Untie hostages.
Untie the ignorant the beleaguered the preyed upon trafficer dilluded sneering stunted stunting .
Abundant predictable life cycle for human beings here on the only planet known to support life is a 100+/- spin through the sky . Enjoy the ride. Leave it better than when you emerged here too.
I’m in Australia grabbing snatches on YouTube and via Pod Save America’s coverage. It’s been tears tears tears (of joy) every day, to the detriment of my eye makeup. When you fight, you win.
I am also in Australia, watching every speech on YouTube, and the last three days I have had tears in my eyes more often than not. But unlike after the 2016 election, when the tears were of disbelief, frustration and despair, these tears have been tears of joy, elation and hope. Sadness too, hearing the wonderful Mr Biden pass the torch to Ms Harris, but quickly replaced by happiness hearing the wonderful and inspiring messages from so many wonderful and inspiring leaders. I was especially moved by the former Republicans who were endorsing the Harris/Walz ticket…this gave me so much hope, that out there in the 'burbs of the USA, there are many more who have shifted allegiance and will be supporting the Democratic ticket.
Cheering you all on from Perth, Western Australia!
Not a US citizen, but I have visited many times (pre Trump) and have many dearly loved friends there. I am trying to be as active as I can on social media spreading facts to refute MAGA lies and distortions. That is about all I can do apart from sending love and energy to you all for the fight!
Just a slight correction: Those aren't "former Republicans". They are disaffected Republicans. Some of them have left their party and become Independents, but others are still Republicans. However, they recognize the dangers that Donald Trump represents to this country. So, they are patriotically supporting his opponent, whom they recognize as being a good and qualified person who will preserve our Constitution instead of leading this country into Trump’s goal of a dystopian, authoritarian hell.
Robyn, and all you others from around the world, thanks so much for your encouraging messages. The four hours we've watched this conversation every evening have been
@ Janet. Bernie is a good man. But it isn’t this group arbiting his fortunes - it’s millions of Americans and our political process. Say what you may but a vote for Bernie, like for any third party, is a vote for Trump in practical effect.
Benjamin, and, Bernie is a great man and he has endorsed Harris-Walz. People who value Bernie's wisdom should also trust his judgment. He does not give his endorsement lightly.
I'll write in whom I please and yes it does count and no I don't care anymore.
Both parties are taking money from wall street. Kamala didn't do anything significant for homeowners. Both enjoy Jamie Dimon's endorsement. Both parties gaslight and sue third party candidates.
A vote for Bernie is a vote for democracy and economic inequality. The false gaslighting that it "doesn't count" is not a democratic statement.
Janet, I love Bernie Sanders too. I donate to him monthly, but in support of the very important work he's doing as Senator. Bernie has asked me to support Kamala - and I am very happy to do so! I hope you will change your mind and do the same, Bernie would thank you!
Sorry Janet. Nothing I said is false. I didn’t say a vote didn’t count - that is you projecting what you know in your heart, the practical effect is a vote for Trump, the polar opposite of what you claim to espouse.
Yes, by saying the other candidates are Dems and Rep - it is saying that my vote doesn't count.
Change Kamala's mind about the platform.
As you can see you can't budge the 50 / 50 mark ? Can you? So - I'm not the only one...
If you are an economist then let's chat about William Bill Black, PhD, Lawyer, former bank regulator. Accounting control fraud and 2008. The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One.
If Ms. Harris wants to say she helped homeowners, then prove it. It appears the best a very few people got was $1200 check. The rest of the money went round back to wall street to pay off the "short sell" which was appraisal fraud to be with.
@Janet. You seem like you care? But you seem also naïve - what Kamala needs to emphasize during the election MUST align with her real policies in the long term. Closer to Bernie than you seem to think. However, Kamala does not need to rub everybody's nose in the details during the campaign cycle, particularly when many swing state voters are low information people with low interest in politics. I wish you would wise up - Bernie endorsed Kamala. AOC endorsed Kamala. Your search for "perfection" is the enemy of helping the country do much better. Just for effect, not really trying to be rude, but to paraphrase one sophisticated political operative, shut up and vote Kamala for President.
I'm a little concerned about the Democrats’ official platform just released which says nothing about the genocide in Gaza, and promises MOREunconditional military aid to Israel allowing it to continue Israel's slaughter in Gaza and the West Bank, and legitimizes Israel’s attacks against Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Joe Biden has given Israel how many Billions in military aid to continue these proxy wars?
My vote doesn't count unless I vote for your candidate then - well then hallelujah and pass the cornbread. Kamala and Jamie Dimon are here to save democracy!
In practical effects, if you don't listen to Bernie - you'll have to make lots more phone calls to move that needle. Just saying Joe.
I can make my own decisions thank you. You keep trying don't you lol.
The person you need to speak to is Kamala - not me.
Watch William Bill Black, PhD, lawyer, former bank regulator,
White Trash by Nancy Isenberg.
I don't know what democracy and freedom we ever had? But it was decided for us by poor english aristocrats . And the revolution was not about freedom - it was about money and who wanted control over it.
I bought White Trash audiobook and am looking forward to it. Re voting for Bernie - I would not because he cannot win. That reality. So I will not waste my vote. You are free to do as you choose.
Stumping for Trump again are you Janet. I know you realize that there are only two possibilities,thus two choices, Trump or Kamala, So you stump for Trump, and who is Trump's butt buddies? None other than Putin and Netanyahu..
I have grown weary of this boring conversation. You have shown me what a bitter old man you are. Not a single rational thought in your tiny brain. Just remember that Trump lives in your mind rent free.
I really don't care what you think George. I really don't. But what I know from your responses are that you are angry and bitter.
The only thing you got right is that I am an old man, otherwise I have absolutely no reason to be angry or bitter, because I have no skin the game, no emotional connection, no ideological connection,.
I am as detached as say a visitor from another planet, watching the affairs of a puny species beat the hell out of each other. How about a cameraman on the Serengetti, filming wildlife.
What I do care about is Trump and his base of theocratic fascists, because that does affect me. Other than that, you guys can have at each other, and yo will, because the species hasn't learned anything, and probably can't thus won't.
What specifically do you want us to hear? He has brilliantly repeated his views for decades to the point where we finally get it. Trump lived it out. At any rate, Bernie spoke on behalf of the Democratic nominee because he is a valiantly smart and experienced man who has also set aside his ego so this country wins against oligarchy and fascism.
I voted for Mr. Sanders in 2016 with no regrets now, but President Biden was the man WE needed. He linked ALL Americans together! (No, I don't consider Insurrectionists American until they begin VOTING like one.)
I have been checking the ppl who are making comments and you are one of the few who is not a bot. The belligerent comments are not from actual people. Just click on a few of the ppl and you will see they have zero followers or subscribers. Free speech has never been more important!
Beware of the Corona. When Kamala wins she will be visited by Mitch McConnell: "We will sabotage anything you try."
We will all call him a "dick" for his male caucus. But it's the Corona of the penis responsible for sabotaging previous efforts at procreation.😮🙄🤔😨😝😷🙃😤
Uh, note the difference between comments in reply to the Original Posting (OP), the reply from 'GrrlScientist', and a reply to one's self. (You *whom*?)
GrrlScientists, evidently you overlooked the DNC endorsements of the proxy wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Or maybe you didnt.
Its easy for some people to overlook these atrocities funded with Billions in tax dollars that might have been used to help poor get an education and health care.
I watched on my 13-inch MacBook Pro and the energy, emotions, excitement, joy, and hope on both sides of the screen were not diminished. In this instance, this is too big for size to matter. 😏
Yes, really. But you don't want to hear it do you? Can't move the needle much? It's because your "messaging about losing democracy" doesn't resonate does it?
What Bernie talks about is what people - want to talk about. Please go back and listen to his straight to point speech. This group would do well to listen more too.
Dear Mr. Reich: I have never fully recovered from the shock of watching Donald Trump elected to the presidency in 2015. If anyone had ever told me so many Americans could be fooled so easily, I would have just laughed and walked away. Witnessing what is happening now has renewed my faith in not only the glorious dream of democracy, but restored my belief that most of our citizens understand and embrace what lies at the heart of this magical experiment in self rule. Kamala Harris has not lit a candle in the dark. She has kindled a raging wildfire that will burn the most extreme, ugly pillars of the Maga movement to the ground. God bless the joyful warriors. Ellis Johnson M.D.
After having been fooled, why has it taken so long to get rid of the guy? Obama famously laughed at Trump and that only made things worse - Trump decided to run for President partly based upon being laughed at.
It may take 30+ years, if ever, for our country and the world to recover from the damage Trump caused and still is causing. Harris gives us much more than just a flicker of hope for recovery.
I just want to say there are several republicans that have used Trump and his followers to put a very well thought out and long planned agenda into motion. It isn’t just this malignant pig of a human that is leading our country into the abyss. And they will not be pushed aside- at least not without a nasty fight. They have prepared the groundwork to reject any outcome other than their victory. The attempted coup was just a dress rehearsal. In the meantime, the convention has been uplifting and professional. A glorious change from the doom, gloom and hatred
You are exactly right, Elissa. tRumPutin is a dumb-luck figurehead for the Heritage Foundation who appealed to the angry, frustrated and uneducated base, but it could have been anyone who would be willing to lie, cheat and steal to get power. "Mandate for Leadership", aka Project 2025, has been in the works for decades. They have infiltrated the courts, the House and Senate, and since tRump...many State legislatures and election officials. They know they will never win the popular vote because they are still....and hopefully always will be in the minority, so they have to use shadow maneuvers and back channels to gain power. They are paying the long game, and tRump is only the tip of their evil iceberg. Beating them will not be easy or quick. Getting big money out of politics is necessary as well.
The billionaire class of sociopaths that are financing Trump are making the same mistake that German financiers and industrialists like Fritz Thyssen made, they believed that they could control Hitler. Jamie Dimon, Pete Peterson, Elon Musk et al think they can control Trump.
William, they don't need to - - they are putting into place work-arounds to ensure that the actual voter tallies won't stand. I really do believe they are just smugly biding their time, and spending (some of) their money, believing they will soon make it all back multiple times over...
It's important to point out your saying "they" and "followers". You are right. It's not just Trump. One problem is, we are dealing with a nasty and vicious cult with a "malignant pig" (appropriate phrase; I like it) as you said, or "subhuman" (my word) being the cult leader. Perhaps Trump is a "subhuman malignant pig"?
tRump so lacking in character with zero positive qualities, is being used as a figurehead for the evil monied interests that are pulling his strings. They are trying like hell to keep him on message, but his retarded infantile ego won't let him behave like a normal person, he has to rage like a baby who needs to be pacified.
Harvey, you raise a point that really causes me concern: "They are trying like hell to keep him on message, but..." "They" really AREN'T trying hard at all to steer Trump. I'm worried "they" are convinced it doesn't matter, that their planning has been, and is being implemented sufficiently to negate whatever actual outcome the voting produces: manipulation of voter registries, pole site access, ensuring the ability of State registrars to NOT certify election outcomes - - oh so many other insurances "they" are putting into action. I fear there will be no way to counter the effectiveness of the dirty tricks until the magnitude and frequency is realized, and by then, too little time will remain to counter "their" efforts...
We expect a landslide victory, what is of greater concern is that they will try again to steal the election by any and all means. The "brownshirts" are willing and armed. MAGAts have scared politicians into voting against their will; they have no boundaries. Every single poll needs to be manned by partisan Dems to make sure all is legit. And the state election officials need to be watched like Hawkes. We will need an arm of lawyers watching all segments of the election process. We can't take anything for granted. As we know, fascists will stop at nothing.
The combination of focused enemies of the US and their fellow travellers all running in the same rogue wolf pack buoyed up by predator neo liberal made global billions. Trump is the ultimate figurehead for the morbidly wealthy and their need to exploit those less fortunate in order to big themselves up to each other and justify their innate criminality.
It's interesting you said "innate" criminality as opposed to "acquired" criminality. That puts a different perspective on Trump's activities; one I hadn't previously thought about. That makes any hope for him changing to be zero/none. (not that I had any hope anyway)
I have found the difference between those who practise acquired criminality and innate criminals to be that the former possess some sense of shame and the latter assume everyone is as criminally minded as they are.
Innate criminality could also be defined as sociopathy and/or malignant narcissism.
Back in the mid 20th Century there was a Standford Study, they studied a group of criminals and a group of cops. Finding: The two groups had the same mentality and moral foundation. The difference was which side of the law that they chose as a profession.
Cops, exhibited their criminality behind a badge, and were more risk adverse than career crimininals.
Surely Doc Bob, you didn't really think that Trump could or would change?
But as you, the idea of innate criminality vs acquired criminality is worthy of exposition. Some people are born that way. Ted Bundy is a good example.And I know of others, not so extreme as Ted, but born criminals. Nurture can modify and temper nature, but nature often Trumps, nurture. In Trumps case it is both, his father was a cold hearted criminal, and he wasn't raised, he grew up without nurture.
The tv show persona that was developed (a fantasy for sure, given all tfg’s bankruptcies) helped people fall for his act. And the terrible fall out from the financial crisis in 2008 had some horrible consequences for people who lost homes and jobs, leading to a lot of anger. TFG harnessed all that—for awhile—. Now, it appears people are beginning to realize that he is full of air. No substance, only fuel for anger with no solutions.
I think you are right. I remember the White House press dinner when there were images of the White House gussied up by a potential Trump administration, and I thought even then that they were playing with fire.
Mmm... no fooling: it wasn't the first time in recent memory that the popular vote only meant so much (that broken clock was bound to be right twice today)...
> = |
PS: Here's to leaving shock in CPR class and - instead - our stroke of good luck in a great party ticket!
How about morose for 4 long years running, and then almost 4 years after that because the DOJ couldn't get its act together to arrest him in all that time!!!
Ellis, I was working with a person at that time, someone from Uzbekistan, a Muslim fellow, who was so worried that Trump might get elected. I, like you, glibly laughed and reassured him that it "wasn't going to happen." And even said it twice: "No -- don't worry about it!" Boy -- did I ever feel bad after that! I felt like I let my friend Aziz down.
Kamala Harris has taken off like the first horse out of the gate at a horse race. The mainstream media was looking for a horse race, well now they have it, and I am sure that this time the best person will win.
I hope you're right, but anything is possible. The 50 or so competitive Congressional Districts are neck and neck. Last month, Rep. Cori Bush lost after facing a record breaking barrage of attack ads. For over a month, slick commercials attacked Bush relentlessly. Bush's opponent and AIPAC gave Bush a one-two punch every commercial break.
The two weeks before the primary election, on some stations all three commercials during a commercial break attacked Bush. Sometimes the same commercial ran twice during one commercial break. I've never seen anything remotely like it. I doubt Bush was able to buy any commercial ad time because it was all booked 24/7.
Bush made a good commercial going down the home stretch, but it was too late to change people's minds after being bombarded with negative ads for well over a month. We are in a new era of dark money attack ads. I am fearful that massive amounts of dark money will be used to manipulate voters with distortions and lies in the key races and areas. AI will be used to determine where to dump tons of money. IMO, dark money with slick group names is a biggest threat to Harris/Walz and democracy.
If Harris/Walz are going to win, they will have to stay on message and positive. They will need an effective rapid response team. Most of all, Harris/Walz will need to appeal to American's better angels and run an effective ground game.
I am Australian, and have been following the Trump saga since 2016 and share your sentiment. I have always revered the US (yes- we in the west do look to you, the US, for leadership) and was dismayed (and somewhat depressed) at where your country was going - it is a very near thing to fascism and dictatorship. Still cannot understand the forces behind MAGA given the imbecilic, juvenile and just plain criminal element that has taken over the GOP. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are a breath of fresh air, and I too was emotional during the nomination speeches. If wily old Joe planned this, he is a supreme strategist. With warm salutations from Australia.
You said, "Still cannot understand the forces behind MAGA given the imbecilic, juvenile and just plain criminal element that has taken over the GOP."
Thanks for your interest from Australia. Please don't feel bad, dismayed or even depressed; some of the greatest minds in the world can't figure it out either. I liked your use of the words "imbecilic", "juvenile" and "criminal" all in one sentence to describe MAGA forces. Outstanding comment. Thank you.
👹It’s very much like Hitler’s appeal was to the German’s and very similar playbook. But now he and his Brownshirts have AI and social media in their tool chest!
We are in very uncertain territory. Between massive VOTER SUPPRESSION and the ELECTORAL COLLEGE, Hitler clone Trump could easily win. see gregpalast.com
The very things that make Democracy the best form of living for a human, are also its weaknesses and downfall.
I think it was bin Laden that said it. We will use the freedoms of Democracy to destroy you.
The very freedoms that we enjoy, like speech and assembly, association and entrepreneur ship, are being used to destroy us and turn us into a corporate theocracy, not unlike Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran but with a different god.
Ellen, you said "Hitler clone Trump could easily win." You are right. That wouldn't surprise me at all. Yet . . .
The situation is possibly far worse than than what you described. Trump will make sure he "wins" the election one way or another in order to stay out of jail. I suspect that means doing some dreadful things that will cause big controversy and/or trouble, allowing what he thinks will let him weasel his way back into office.
I hope I'm all wrong, but that's what I'm watching for.
Ashley, I am so amazed and delighted when someone from another country writes about America! I guess I knew that the world was watching but I am so glad when they send words of encouragement! Thank you. Wishing you in Australia the best!
There are many of us here in Oz, very, very worried that Trump might be anywhere near the WH, who have been greatly cheered by President Biden's selflessness, VP Harris's seemingly flawless shift into running her own campaign, and her inspired selection for VP, Governor Walz. I have spent much of the last three days in tears, but unlike after the 2016 election, when the tears were of despair, frustration and fear, these tears are of joy, positivity and hope for the future. We are cheering you on, and hoping that the best of the USA will prevail over the idiocracy, malevolence and veniality that is the MAGA movement.
For Americans who didn’t read the New York City tabloids, Drumpf was not a notable figure in 2016. But because he was apparently a successful business man — a saint of capitalism — many people voted for him. Those voters thought that he might represent a breath of fresh air and shake up the boring old political order. I hope that a majority of those hopeful voters have learned from their mistake.
The Prosecutor v the Criminal. This will be America’s most important election. Is America still a country of Law and Order or is it going to become a dictatorship? I believe in the people and we will preserve our democracy.
Well said, RR. Governor Walz was AWESOME! How can anyone not love Tim? He's a lot like my dad, only a gifted public speaker like my mom. Tim really is "America's dad!"
I am impressed with Harris' pick. Tim is smart, principled and plain spoken. He is exactly when Harris needs for the Great Lakes' swing states. He's an all-around great guy. I just LOVE everything about him!
The Dems showcased a real fighter for the middle class with Governor Walz. They didn't resort to some tacky, fake former semi-pro wrestler to make it appear they've fighting for American families. Dems rolled out a real fighter and patriot with experience and a great vision.
While I'm worried about the pending flow of record amounts of dark money to fear monger, confuse, and manipulate voters, I could not be more optimistic and joyful for progress, freedom, and better way forward.
The Republicans are scared shitless of Walz, they are trying like hell to label him as a commie. Most Americans have no idea what commie means other than it is a slur, a slam, like leftie or liberal, thanks to a cowardly and complcit media.
My 90 yo MAGA Mom called them socialists- but was unable to define the word- kinda shocking considering she lived through the worst of the Cold War. Last night was uplifting, but we’ve got a lot of work to do- Doing Something!
Vivek Ramaswamy--- In the first place, this nut thought he could run for the office of the President with a name like his. Three syllables are all you're allowed to have in your last name if you want to be President in this country. Vivek's attitude about Ms. Harris is predictable, considering he's a Trump addict. Right now, Kamala is treading in thin ice, she doesn't want to bruise the relationship she has with her commander and chief, however, she does have her own positions on the subjects relevant to our daily lives. Several differences in her positions may exist that differ slightly from Joe's, so she has to very delicately, express herself in such a way not to appear to have policy issues with President Biden. Ram-y knows fully well what is going on, but he is taking the side of the orange guy and calling Harris out for not being open on her thinking. A month ago, this woman wasn't running for anything but her old VP position. Give her a chance to get her feet on the ground Vivek. You lost in your bid, let's see where Kamala goes in her time to shine. By the way, your views and positions are less than appetizing to any good American.
Donald - “like” My fear is not only if the republicans win (they won’t) but that the governor of Ohio has floated Ramaswamy’s name to replace Vance. As if it couldn’t get any worse. Currently trying hard to get Brown re-elected because Moreno is a dumpster fire. So disappointed and ashamed of my state and their choices.
Donald I think that there are remnants of the Indian caste system in Indian American politics.
Though born in America, they were raised in their parents culture and that shit rubs off.
The categories in order include: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. There is also a fifth category known as the Dalits (or Untouchables), the lowest ranking class and often considered to be ''caste-less'' in Hindu
Brahmins are Priests and Teachers
Kshatriyas are Warriors and rulers
Vaishiyas are farmers and trades
Shudras are laborers.
The Liberals, the progressives are of the Vaisiya and Shudra class
The right wingers like Vivek are of the Kshatriya, maybe Brahmin class.
I don't see Brahimins migrating, being the upper class in India, why would they migrate to a society where they would have to start all over again at the bottom.
Americans don't understand the caste system. Originally racial in design. The Rg Veda prescribes that if you let the shadow of an untouochable fall on you, you have to drink your urine. The object was to keep the distance from an untouchable Testosterone and sexual need and intercourse, over time obviated the racial distinction between Aryan and Tamil, and color distinction of caste was impossible, so caste definition shifted to the occupational/social status that was hereditary, and no longer color oriented.
Donald, You point out that "she doesn't want to bruise the relationship she has with her commander and chief". He is still the President of the USA, and as his legally elected Vice President, she may also be bound by certain restrictions. I'm guessing it is quite a balancing act!
Thank you and Heather for the story of the photo on this morning's Coffee Klatch - it's a sweet one. Kamala's niece, Mina, took the picture at the 2008 convention. Kamala was running for Attorney General of California, which she won obviously. Heather came across it and shared it with us.... Thank you Heather!
I live in Georgia so pardon my GA-centric take on things. I really appreciated our former Lt. Governor, Geoff Duncan, speaking at the convention last night against Trump and encouraging his fellow Republicans and independents to support Kamala Harris.
We have a 5-member Georgia state elections board where the 3 newest members are election deniers and hard-core MAGAts. I've been reading up on the rules changes they are making, thanks to excellent reporting in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Yesterday, on our daily Georgia political show, the guest was Jason Carter -- grandson of Jimmy, former GA state senator, and chair of the Carter Center. I was grateful to learn that the Carter Center is among the groups carefully watching the elections process in Georgia. (The Center is often called upon to monitor elections world-wide.
We're going to work very hard to try to win the state for the Democrats again.
I did too -- especially when describing the events of January 6 as a "cancer" growing through the land -- showing up in the kind of crap I described above. In his August 3 speech in Atlanta, Trump called out the three GA board members BY NAME, praising them for their commitment to "victory."
Last night, Maryland's governor - Wes Moore -- really impressed me too.
Yes, Wes Moore also. I am happily surprised at the depth of the Democrats bench. I am impressed by so many of the speakers. And, unlike the cynical voices, I believe a statement of positive direction will lead to positive action.
Thomas, I felt really bad, and angry, that the music did not stop when Jason Carter got up to deliver his message from former President Carter that he will be voting for Kamala Harris in November. The music just kept right on going, as though what Jimmy Carter had to say was not important! Jimmy Carter and the Carter Center have done more good work in this world (Habit for Humanity and monitoring of elections around the world) than the dysfunctional United Nations could ever hope to! So I apologize to you for the obtuseness of the DNC! I listened to Jason with appreciation!
Let's Make 'Power-To-The-People' Real... Power, Money, has flowed towards the Top for too long... It has become Grotesque... Let's Strive For The Beauty Of A Healthy DEMOCRACY...
You overlooked that Harris was able to barrel ahead only because Biden not only stepped aside but immediately endorsed her. That instantly made her the only choice. Thank you, Joe!
Kely, yes, I hope Harris-Walz will prevail, crossing the finish line first. I like your comment that "Americans have found themselves again." I do believe we have been lost for a while, letting people who care only for money and power, addicted to money and power, define who we are or who we ought to be. I like the mention of "the common good" in several of the speeches this week because it is like reintroducing the concept to people who once had a sense of what that is, but had either forgotten or had lost hope that we could find it ever again.
Sadly, there are those who think the "Common Good" is code for communism: unless it is about Their common good. Only for them, not for those outside their group.
Peggy: It's true, that ignorance is not bliss. If only those who are being misled could be educated enough to know how they are the "losers" that their "hero" talks about so much.
That's just it, Laurie! No matter how I show my republican friends the irrefutable facts on every single issue they are screaming and blaming on the Democrats, they refuse to listen or acknowledge those facts are true! It's always fake news to them. You simply cannot get through to some of them. I was encouraged listening to the republican voters at the DNC that have taken off their blinders and have seen the orange man for who he is and what he is trying to do to our Democracy. Vote blue, America!
Peggy, if you have been carefully molded to believe that Trump is god's messenger, it is hard to think that you have been duped by really clever con artists, both political and religious to get you to do what they want. All of us want to believe we are making our own decisions and that we have not dropped off the deep end. The twisting begins a little at a time or with a big bang, like hearing a certain speech, but it does take time to move in on a person's thinking to the point they believe they are independent but are really under the "spell" of a bunch of power-hungry, mostly rather wealthy mostly white men, not god.
Yes, I hear you, Peggy. I just had a retired upper echelon customer who has usually been reasonable when discussion of politics come up. When someone brought it up, he said he just will not listen to statements made by Democrats. I guess he thinks that ignoring facts will make them go away. My guess is that he feels threatened by the immigrants and those who are tired of wealth Inequality. It's easier to keep women "in their place", too.He definitely seemed rattled by what is going on at the Democratic National Convention. It was visceral and evident.
Laurie, the term Communism has been the boogyman for the Right-wingers for nearly a century. Rarely do any of those people have a clue what it is and fewer want to know. Despite calling themselves "communist" no countries now have a system that even parallels what Marx and Engles had in mind when they worked to develop the system. The Republicans need a buzz word they can use against everyone who is not they. Communism, Socialism, justice, fairness, DEI, right to choose have been so twisted in the right-wing bubble, it wouldn't matter if the people were to look the words up in a dictionary; they wouldn't believe it or, like everything else they do politically, they would twist and distort it until it would be unrecognizable anyway.
My fear is that Trump is just the tip of the iceberg; once he's gone, there will still be the mass below the surface: a seething, angry, neofascist movement eager to dismantle democracy. It will push forward another puppet candidate.
There are certainly more neofascists out there but I think once Trump goes down they’ll all scurry back into the wood work.
Without their puppet master pulling their strings they won’t know what to do. Can you imagine MTG without her bull horn? How will they know what bills to kill in Congress without Trump there to tell them?
Yes we need a majority down the ticket so that we can have our Supreme Court returned to a court of justice and integrity, that is of vital importance. And of course there’s more work to be done. Trump has shown us where the cracks are, the next step is patching them.
People overrate Trump’s power. He is the puppet, the provocateur, pitch man for larger darker forces His, to me inexplicable, appeal to angry, ignorant and not necessarily unlettered people is being used to create anarchy and social disintegration. They channel their unhappiness into his anger, he gets away with saying in public their ugliest thoughts and fears. And he despises them.
Bell vs Bush played out against a background of the ugliest most pervasive wallpaper of political attack ads I've ever seen. Vote for me for state auditor because I will use my AR15 to kill illegal aliens. Vote for me for secretary of state because I will protect the Southern border for American families. As your lieutenant governor I will work to stop job-killing federal over reach, higher taxes that pay for free lunch scams and kill babies at all stages of birth.
I live in the 1st district in MO. Ms. Bush talked progressive but didn't show up to vote progressive; then she blundered tone deaf into ethnic politics by volubly supporting Palestinian causes in the most heavily Jewish district in the state in which their support put her in office.
Did Wesley Bell take their money? Yeah, now let's see what he does with it. That's why we have elections.
True but Kamala and Tim will have done much to improve the underlying conditions of staggering wealth inequality, tax unfairness, unaffordable housing, higher education and healthcare—the places where the seeds of rage are created. Vigilance is always required of course.
Trump’s appeal is similar to Hitler’s. And so are the underlying conditions. The more equality of opportunity, the less appeal of these parasites!! 🍀🤞🍀
Michael, I agree there are the fascists awaiting their turn to have at our democracy, but I think enough people have been awakened in the past couple of weeks that we may be less easily fooled into believing anyone as morally sick as Trump and his ilk should have any power. I get it that we have permitted corporations and their owners/operators a fascist impression that having money and a big business makes them eligible for anything more, even to "rule" this nation. I am hoping that hearing people talk about what these entities are doing to us and plan to do to us, may help prepare us for the fascist upsurge that is sure to come probably between now and the election, for certain afterward.
The lying propagandists running certain media must be held accountable. "Truth in advertising" must be restored. Facts must prevail in any news report. Disinformation and misinformation are not free speech.
Laurie, but the question, of course, who will enforce the fact that what Republicans are doing is not "free speech," and needs to be either stopped or presented with a tag that audibly and in writing says that what is claimed is either an out right lie or a distortion of the truth. Like the toddlers they are, they think they can say whatever they want and get away with it as there is no mom around to put them up for a nap when they are out of control. The level of lying in Republican ads this year is astounding, whole ads with not a single truth beyond possibly the name of the organization whose ad it is. They nearly always have a slightly whiny female voice almost pleading that what she says is true when everything she says is a lie. It really is disgusting, though interesting to see just how it is done.
Ruth ; The legal system has been used by the "right" for a long time. Class action suits can be filed in some cases where disinformation has harmed those consuming media. Especially where voters are told the wrong things about where and when voting can happen. Or where repeated attempts to legislate rules designed to make voting more difficult have been attempted and still are. Ads that misinform are election interference and the "ad men" sued. Those in Congress who have , on record, violated their oaths of office by refusing to certify the 2020 election, and possibly , the upcoming 2024 election, should be out of government, as they are traitors, and disqualified under the 14th amendment section 3 disqualification clause. the criminals on the Court who refused to follow and uphold the Constitution have caused harm to this country and interfered with free and fair elections. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as they are traitors and guilty of High Treason. The largest class action suit and RICO case in history should be filed.
Laurie, I would like to see that suit brought, but it probably won't go anywhere while our current SC is sitting with a super majority. They now see themselves as rulers of this nation while they lie that they are trying to be fair blah blah blah. We need the term limits in place so Alito and Thomas are gone and a severe ethics code is in place and the SC is expanded with justices who are really non-partisan and are willing to live the ethics rules on penalty of being removed from the bench if they break them.
Michael, that is why our work is never done! There will always be a puppet placed as the head of the snake no matter how many times that puppet is defeated. There will always be angry, hate-filled people that won't accept our Democracy and will try their dead level best to destroy it. Remember Benjamin Franklin when asked if we had a republic or a monarchy said, "A republic, if you can keep it." Our job as Americans is to stay constantly vigilante in order to keep our Democratic republic progressing and moving forward. Vote blue, America!
Stray thought after reading CNN’s “Supreme Court’s ‘shadow docket’ returns with a vengeance” article. If democrats also win/retain majority in the House of Representatives and Senate, President Harris’ agenda should include doing something about the Supreme Court. Too many extreme far right, bad decisions coming from that direction.
Yes Bob, that's for sure. Election will help all over the world. Kamala and Tim will create a positive atmosphere and ban uglyness and uncivility and lies. The world will be gratefull.
You hit a home run. I'm 82. I was a Republican until shortly after January 6th. And,yes, I'M SO EXCITED. I HAVE HOPE. Trump has dragged the Country down. And I blame media for helping him.
Professor Reich: watching the DNC from overseas has been the best, most exhilarating and most optimistic event i've EVER seen on my home big screen. not sure how i'd react if i was one of the lucky ones in attendance, but i do know i'd completely lose my voice from all the joyful sounds i know i'd make if i was there to be a small contribution to the sea of happiness there.
Girl Scientist, I felt the excitement too and I am watching on my home TV in Pennsylvania. I think that's because the whole convention has been as remarkable as it seems, speech after speech beautifully presented. What a week, and we have one more night!
Ruth, I am also in Pennsylvania and am so grateful for the powerful, joyful vibes this convention is exuding. I could not even bring myself to watch the RNC for more than a few minutes as I felt the vengeful loathing for America, women, children and all the rights we hold dear. Hope is the best medicine for what ails us and Kamala Harris is writing a generous prescription.
The sad part is that the majority of MAGA people are not the 1%; They are a bunch of average willfully deluded fools who refuse to understand that they have signed onto their own demise.
That may be true, Ilene, but judging by the popular votes in the elections since 2016 and including 2016, there are a lot more of us than there are of them.
also, I don't know if you've noticed, but the Trump crowds are getting sparse, and the reason is simple: He is boring: he has no fresh material to excite his crowds. It's always the same slogans, attacks, personal insults. Those who live on hatred get their treat, their daily high, but even among Trumpers, some leave before he's done, yawn or fall asleep. I have a Trumper at home, and I can tell you, his enthusiasm is down to a low simmer.
One of the messages resonating with him, besides the abortion question, is the "rich against the poor" with rich folks avoiding jail time but common folks getting hauled to jail. So much so that I might make a Bernie supporter out of him yet!
He is still all in on the border problem, but that's about it, and I have shown him that there was a deal on the table but Trump tanked it to have at least one plank to run on. He replies that it was a very bad deal. Does anyone have details on that deal? [I'm not giving up] On Ukraine, he laments the money going there [but somehow, he is illogically not lamenting on the billions of dollars that we have given to Israel since its inception in 1948.
I'll keep working on him...
I’m sorry to hear that you are living with a Trumper; that is a very difficult thing to deal with. Like talking to a wall, but I do hope he will be convinced soon to support the candidates that are running to benefit all of us.
Yep. It can be tough, but it is sometimes very funny, like when he said, in all earnest: "Did you hear? Hillary Clinton is in Gitmo". I started laughing and couldn't stop.
Or this one: "You know, I think Hitler was right on this one: there are 2 kinds of Jews: The white ones and the black ones. The mistake was to send the good ones to Israel. We should have sent the black ones".
I pointed out to him that besides the crass racism, how could Hitler, who died in 1945 have made a pronouncement of any kind about Israel and whether the black ones or the white ones should have been sent there since Israel didn't exist until 1948. Then I laughed and laughed. I still laugh when I think about it.
Whenever he gets caught flat footed in one of those, his standard reply is :" Well, that's what I heard.
I once told him: Well, I hope these are not just "voices in your head". That would be alarming. You could, however, make a note of where you heard it and not listen to that source any more.
Lets not dehumanize Trump supporters. If we do, then we become part of the program used by Trump, Hitler, and all the other dictators alive today who try to separate us.
It is hard to understand how anyone can follow Trump, I know. But very sophisticated psychological tactics have been used. and once your Tribe has its norms, it is hard to stand against your social connections. Lets ush for better education too,,,and more honest education .
Elizabeth, I whole heartedly agree with you. Maybe there is no way to convince many of Trump's followers, but any that we do reach improve our odds for the long run! We must find a way to be welcoming, to offer an alternate "safe place" to the cult they might actually want to leave!
So what do we do about these "sophisticated psychological tactics". Most of the people whom I know that support the Trumper listen to Fox News or something similar over and over again in their car or truck. As people who were once part of a robust middle class they have seen their real incomes (and their prospects for better incomes) eroding for many years and they are upset about it. And Trump gives them someone to blame and re-directs their anger towards Immigrants and Democrats, and gives them a simplistic solution (Elect me and I will fix it). Which sounds great to a lot of these folks, who frequently are not too well educated.
Of course it’s wrong to dehumanize other human beings. Yet anger and frustration at their obtuseness and unwillingness to consider promoting the common good provoke these feelings. We are up against an internal enemy who appears like the rest of us but who do not want to abandon the toxic goals of the huckster to whom they have sold their souls.
Exactly!!!! Deluded fools that don't understand that this guy and his financial supporters don't give a damn about anyone but themselves.
Yes! We must all work together to ensure that these idiots don’t get their wish. vote, blue and spread the word!
I have to agree. And, I know some of these people. They are uninformed, they've been conned. They actually believe he will help the economy because they get their information from FOX news or Facebook. They are good people who actually believe there is still a Republican party. I ask myself, often, how they can be duped by MAGA and Trump. I keep praying they will have their eyes opened.
And, of course, I know there are others who are right-wing extremists, violent and conspiracy believers who want Project 2025's playbook.
I think you will find that nearly all of them nearly always watch Fox Cable news only. But, I think that human nature is such that they want someone to blame for their own depressing condition, which they have somehow been washed into by the micro invironment of their life.
We all face the task of making sense of life, and our place in it. But we are only human, and herd instincts more often than not guide our beliefs.
I agree. Fox News ought to be shut down by the FCC on the grounds that it is subversive and treasonous to America. Rupert Murdoch et.al are monsters in expensive suits who should be stripped of their fortunes and their power to buy toxic influence.
They share a stunted developmental condition also seen in the population of thwarted development in middle easter captive regiemes.
Abuse mutual abuse hostage situations.
Untie hostages.
Untie the ignorant the beleaguered the preyed upon trafficer dilluded sneering stunted stunting .
Abundant predictable life cycle for human beings here on the only planet known to support life is a 100+/- spin through the sky . Enjoy the ride. Leave it better than when you emerged here too.
Tonight is the best to come. Kamala you go girl!
I’m in Australia grabbing snatches on YouTube and via Pod Save America’s coverage. It’s been tears tears tears (of joy) every day, to the detriment of my eye makeup. When you fight, you win.
I am also in Australia, watching every speech on YouTube, and the last three days I have had tears in my eyes more often than not. But unlike after the 2016 election, when the tears were of disbelief, frustration and despair, these tears have been tears of joy, elation and hope. Sadness too, hearing the wonderful Mr Biden pass the torch to Ms Harris, but quickly replaced by happiness hearing the wonderful and inspiring messages from so many wonderful and inspiring leaders. I was especially moved by the former Republicans who were endorsing the Harris/Walz ticket…this gave me so much hope, that out there in the 'burbs of the USA, there are many more who have shifted allegiance and will be supporting the Democratic ticket.
Cheering you all on from Perth, Western Australia!
Even from Australia you can help. If we get out the millions of unregistered folk who trend Democratic, and those that failed to vote in 2020, we win.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Need help phone banking today. https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/?q=phone%20banks&tag_ids=20038
If you are a US citizen, https://www.democratsabroad.org/
Not a US citizen, but I have visited many times (pre Trump) and have many dearly loved friends there. I am trying to be as active as I can on social media spreading facts to refute MAGA lies and distortions. That is about all I can do apart from sending love and energy to you all for the fight!
You can call, text, write letters, etc.
Thank you for the links.
Just a slight correction: Those aren't "former Republicans". They are disaffected Republicans. Some of them have left their party and become Independents, but others are still Republicans. However, they recognize the dangers that Donald Trump represents to this country. So, they are patriotically supporting his opponent, whom they recognize as being a good and qualified person who will preserve our Constitution instead of leading this country into Trump’s goal of a dystopian, authoritarian hell.
A shout out to beautiful Perth, hometown of my WWII war bride mum! I love Perth.
💙🇺🇸💙 Thank you world for the support! You know we all need it!!!!
We need all the positive energy we can get right now, so THANK YOU for rooting on DEMOCRACY!!!
Robyn, and all you others from around the world, thanks so much for your encouraging messages. The four hours we've watched this conversation every evening have been
Thank you!
And you are clearly a kind and hopeful person! I'll bet you're just as kind and hopeful and beautiful even without makeup!
Yes!
Thank you!
If this group would let go of the egos, and LISTEN to Bernie Sanders instead of pushing him aside - you wouldn't struggle elect Harris / Walz.
After the belligerent comments to (get off here and go away) , I do not find the Dems to behave much better.
Listen to Bernie Sanders - that was the best (most presidential speech) - I've heard in decades.
@ Janet. Bernie is a good man. But it isn’t this group arbiting his fortunes - it’s millions of Americans and our political process. Say what you may but a vote for Bernie, like for any third party, is a vote for Trump in practical effect.
Benjamin, and, Bernie is a great man and he has endorsed Harris-Walz. People who value Bernie's wisdom should also trust his judgment. He does not give his endorsement lightly.
This is the Dems and progressives?
I'll write in whom I please and yes it does count and no I don't care anymore.
Both parties are taking money from wall street. Kamala didn't do anything significant for homeowners. Both enjoy Jamie Dimon's endorsement. Both parties gaslight and sue third party candidates.
A vote for Bernie is a vote for democracy and economic inequality. The false gaslighting that it "doesn't count" is not a democratic statement.
Janet, I love Bernie Sanders too. I donate to him monthly, but in support of the very important work he's doing as Senator. Bernie has asked me to support Kamala - and I am very happy to do so! I hope you will change your mind and do the same, Bernie would thank you!
Then you need to ask Kamala to change her mind - not mine.
Sorry Janet. Nothing I said is false. I didn’t say a vote didn’t count - that is you projecting what you know in your heart, the practical effect is a vote for Trump, the polar opposite of what you claim to espouse.
Yes, by saying the other candidates are Dems and Rep - it is saying that my vote doesn't count.
Change Kamala's mind about the platform.
As you can see you can't budge the 50 / 50 mark ? Can you? So - I'm not the only one...
If you are an economist then let's chat about William Bill Black, PhD, Lawyer, former bank regulator. Accounting control fraud and 2008. The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One.
If Ms. Harris wants to say she helped homeowners, then prove it. It appears the best a very few people got was $1200 check. The rest of the money went round back to wall street to pay off the "short sell" which was appraisal fraud to be with.
TheCon.tv
@Janet. You seem like you care? But you seem also naïve - what Kamala needs to emphasize during the election MUST align with her real policies in the long term. Closer to Bernie than you seem to think. However, Kamala does not need to rub everybody's nose in the details during the campaign cycle, particularly when many swing state voters are low information people with low interest in politics. I wish you would wise up - Bernie endorsed Kamala. AOC endorsed Kamala. Your search for "perfection" is the enemy of helping the country do much better. Just for effect, not really trying to be rude, but to paraphrase one sophisticated political operative, shut up and vote Kamala for President.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... please? ! ?
You don't care that your action could elect Trump, Janet?
Of course not, it isn't really Trump who you sponsor. it is Putin who sponsors you.
no, after the blistering comments you left this week - I don't care for your opinion either.
Well Janet, talks like a 3rd Party supporter, walks like a Trump supporter...
Janet, your writing is getting obviously redundant and demonstrably mean. Please, spare us your self-centered diatribes! It must be almost nap time...
I'm a little concerned about the Democrats’ official platform just released which says nothing about the genocide in Gaza, and promises MOREunconditional military aid to Israel allowing it to continue Israel's slaughter in Gaza and the West Bank, and legitimizes Israel’s attacks against Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Joe Biden has given Israel how many Billions in military aid to continue these proxy wars?
This doesnt seem quite right to me.
I'm a LOT concerned, and it isn't at all right.
My vote doesn't count unless I vote for your candidate then - well then hallelujah and pass the cornbread. Kamala and Jamie Dimon are here to save democracy!
In practical effects, if you don't listen to Bernie - you'll have to make lots more phone calls to move that needle. Just saying Joe.
Janet, doesn't it matter that Bernie has endorsed Harris-Walz? I would think it a good support for him to trust his decision.
I can make my own decisions thank you. You keep trying don't you lol.
The person you need to speak to is Kamala - not me.
Watch William Bill Black, PhD, lawyer, former bank regulator,
White Trash by Nancy Isenberg.
I don't know what democracy and freedom we ever had? But it was decided for us by poor english aristocrats . And the revolution was not about freedom - it was about money and who wanted control over it.
Best of luck to each and every one of us!
I bought White Trash audiobook and am looking forward to it. Re voting for Bernie - I would not because he cannot win. That reality. So I will not waste my vote. You are free to do as you choose.
Janet, have you seen this article? https://time.com/7013208/bernie-sanders-dnc-speech-2024/
Stumping for Trump again are you Janet. I know you realize that there are only two possibilities,thus two choices, Trump or Kamala, So you stump for Trump, and who is Trump's butt buddies? None other than Putin and Netanyahu..
That's a false narrative especially when the Dems pushed out Bernie who was in fact winning. They also sue third party candidates.
Ask Kamala to change her platform and have a 2 hour lunch with Bernie not Jamie.
Yes, every vote counts - tired of the gaslighting about it.
@Janet. Maybe update your shit Janet? The DNC snub of Bernie is OLD news. Even Bernie has gotten over it and has endorsed Kamala.
Cussing means you no longer have a debate point to make.
reported.
Cussing means that they got tired of your shit.
I have grown weary of this boring conversation. You have shown me what a bitter old man you are. Not a single rational thought in your tiny brain. Just remember that Trump lives in your mind rent free.
I really don't care what you think George. I really don't. But what I know from your responses are that you are angry and bitter.
The only thing you got right is that I am an old man, otherwise I have absolutely no reason to be angry or bitter, because I have no skin the game, no emotional connection, no ideological connection,.
I am as detached as say a visitor from another planet, watching the affairs of a puny species beat the hell out of each other. How about a cameraman on the Serengetti, filming wildlife.
What I do care about is Trump and his base of theocratic fascists, because that does affect me. Other than that, you guys can have at each other, and yo will, because the species hasn't learned anything, and probably can't thus won't.
OMG! Trump just said” fight,fight,fight “ he must be planning another insurrection.
You mean planned. If he isn't elected.
There you go again spreading your hate. Get out of here you tired old troll.
Yeh I hate Trump, I will admit. I wish to spread that hate far and wide to keep him away from the White House again.
Can you say TDS Bill?
Oh I am not deranged, but Trump humpers are. If they weren't deranged they would not be MAGAts.
What specifically do you want us to hear? He has brilliantly repeated his views for decades to the point where we finally get it. Trump lived it out. At any rate, Bernie spoke on behalf of the Democratic nominee because he is a valiantly smart and experienced man who has also set aside his ego so this country wins against oligarchy and fascism.
I voted for Mr. Sanders in 2016 with no regrets now, but President Biden was the man WE needed. He linked ALL Americans together! (No, I don't consider Insurrectionists American until they begin VOTING like one.)
I don't care anymore. sorry
Then PLEASE go away! STOP telling us you don't care!
There you go again......living in the past instead of being in the exciting present. Poor bored lady - as I said before. Get a life.
Making fun of people is why you all don't like the trumpers and yet you can't win on any facts.
That's the reason why the needle stays at 50 / 50 because the fact is the Dems are not much better - Bernie says - it's flip sides of the same coin
I am convinced Bernie would have beaten rump. But oh the delight of having Momala and Coach!
I have been checking the ppl who are making comments and you are one of the few who is not a bot. The belligerent comments are not from actual people. Just click on a few of the ppl and you will see they have zero followers or subscribers. Free speech has never been more important!
Reich:"I’m also amazed at how quickly it happened."
"I’m also amazed at how quickly it happened."--recently former virgin that moved into the dorm yesterday.😮🤔😁
@ PowerCorrupts. You are icky-er than usual today.
Beware of the Corona. When Kamala wins she will be visited by Mitch McConnell: "We will sabotage anything you try."
We will all call him a "dick" for his male caucus. But it's the Corona of the penis responsible for sabotaging previous efforts at procreation.😮🙄🤔😨😝😷🙃😤
Researcher:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_G._Gallup
https://web.archive.org/web/20160618085730/http://www.albany.edu/psychology/20915.php
Research:
Science:"Semen Displacement as a Sperm Competition Strategy in Humans"
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/147470490400200105
Science:" The human penis as a semen displacement device "
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=4cea697c1f0d9c80e0fa8c366ae686ec72eea642
Hidden within our Joy for Harris may be the Joy of "Sabotaging" Biden?🤔😮😱(How did Freud miss this?🌝🌝)
THIS IS HOW LOW I'M WILLING TO GO TO "FIND COMMON GROUND!!!🌝🌝🌝
Uh, note the difference between comments in reply to the Original Posting (OP), the reply from 'GrrlScientist', and a reply to one's self. (You *whom*?)
Uh, he wasn't a biologist.
You sure are enamored with DICKS, DICK BRAIN. THAT MUST MEAN YOU ARE A PRO-T-RUMPER, THE BIGGEST DICK OF ALL!
Ha! Ole' Moscow has been more lady than man for YEARS!
Spectrum *vitamins*
*ahem* You have that on good authority, sir? (Please quote your source!)
GrrlScientists, evidently you overlooked the DNC endorsements of the proxy wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Or maybe you didnt.
Its easy for some people to overlook these atrocities funded with Billions in tax dollars that might have been used to help poor get an education and health care.
GrrlScientist, I wish I was there, too! I have looked forward to watching every single night!
I watched on my 13-inch MacBook Pro and the energy, emotions, excitement, joy, and hope on both sides of the screen were not diminished. In this instance, this is too big for size to matter. 😏
I agree. The view from here in Portugal is breathtakingly hopeful.
I share some "words about birds" about last night's convention...We will have a "Blackbird singing" tonight...on her 10th anniversary no less...
https://open.substack.com/pub/jonathanbrownson/p/songs-in-the-night?r=gdp9j&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
GrrlScientist - “Like”
Really?
Yes, really. But you don't want to hear it do you? Can't move the needle much? It's because your "messaging about losing democracy" doesn't resonate does it?
What Bernie talks about is what people - want to talk about. Please go back and listen to his straight to point speech. This group would do well to listen more too.
Just saying
I was a Bernie Bro Janet, But a vote for Bernie is a vote for Trump, therefore your a Trump humper.
When you can't win on facts - you are resorting the trump tactics - not me.
Again, you've proven my point that this group isn't much better than trump himself. Are you?
The facts are - you can't move the needle much. And yet, you don't listen to why and continue to shame people who disagree with you.
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow
Dear Mr. Reich: I have never fully recovered from the shock of watching Donald Trump elected to the presidency in 2015. If anyone had ever told me so many Americans could be fooled so easily, I would have just laughed and walked away. Witnessing what is happening now has renewed my faith in not only the glorious dream of democracy, but restored my belief that most of our citizens understand and embrace what lies at the heart of this magical experiment in self rule. Kamala Harris has not lit a candle in the dark. She has kindled a raging wildfire that will burn the most extreme, ugly pillars of the Maga movement to the ground. God bless the joyful warriors. Ellis Johnson M.D.
After having been fooled, why has it taken so long to get rid of the guy? Obama famously laughed at Trump and that only made things worse - Trump decided to run for President partly based upon being laughed at.
It may take 30+ years, if ever, for our country and the world to recover from the damage Trump caused and still is causing. Harris gives us much more than just a flicker of hope for recovery.
I just want to say there are several republicans that have used Trump and his followers to put a very well thought out and long planned agenda into motion. It isn’t just this malignant pig of a human that is leading our country into the abyss. And they will not be pushed aside- at least not without a nasty fight. They have prepared the groundwork to reject any outcome other than their victory. The attempted coup was just a dress rehearsal. In the meantime, the convention has been uplifting and professional. A glorious change from the doom, gloom and hatred
You are exactly right, Elissa. tRumPutin is a dumb-luck figurehead for the Heritage Foundation who appealed to the angry, frustrated and uneducated base, but it could have been anyone who would be willing to lie, cheat and steal to get power. "Mandate for Leadership", aka Project 2025, has been in the works for decades. They have infiltrated the courts, the House and Senate, and since tRump...many State legislatures and election officials. They know they will never win the popular vote because they are still....and hopefully always will be in the minority, so they have to use shadow maneuvers and back channels to gain power. They are paying the long game, and tRump is only the tip of their evil iceberg. Beating them will not be easy or quick. Getting big money out of politics is necessary as well.
Paula, excellent comment.
Thank you Harvey
The billionaire class of sociopaths that are financing Trump are making the same mistake that German financiers and industrialists like Fritz Thyssen made, they believed that they could control Hitler. Jamie Dimon, Pete Peterson, Elon Musk et al think they can control Trump.
William, they don't need to - - they are putting into place work-arounds to ensure that the actual voter tallies won't stand. I really do believe they are just smugly biding their time, and spending (some of) their money, believing they will soon make it all back multiple times over...
I agree see for example: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-georgia-maga-election-takeover-1235080073/
Oh, dear...
Yes, yes and yes; doom, gloom and hatred.
It's important to point out your saying "they" and "followers". You are right. It's not just Trump. One problem is, we are dealing with a nasty and vicious cult with a "malignant pig" (appropriate phrase; I like it) as you said, or "subhuman" (my word) being the cult leader. Perhaps Trump is a "subhuman malignant pig"?
tRump so lacking in character with zero positive qualities, is being used as a figurehead for the evil monied interests that are pulling his strings. They are trying like hell to keep him on message, but his retarded infantile ego won't let him behave like a normal person, he has to rage like a baby who needs to be pacified.
Harvey, you raise a point that really causes me concern: "They are trying like hell to keep him on message, but..." "They" really AREN'T trying hard at all to steer Trump. I'm worried "they" are convinced it doesn't matter, that their planning has been, and is being implemented sufficiently to negate whatever actual outcome the voting produces: manipulation of voter registries, pole site access, ensuring the ability of State registrars to NOT certify election outcomes - - oh so many other insurances "they" are putting into action. I fear there will be no way to counter the effectiveness of the dirty tricks until the magnitude and frequency is realized, and by then, too little time will remain to counter "their" efforts...
We expect a landslide victory, what is of greater concern is that they will try again to steal the election by any and all means. The "brownshirts" are willing and armed. MAGAts have scared politicians into voting against their will; they have no boundaries. Every single poll needs to be manned by partisan Dems to make sure all is legit. And the state election officials need to be watched like Hawkes. We will need an arm of lawyers watching all segments of the election process. We can't take anything for granted. As we know, fascists will stop at nothing.
The combination of focused enemies of the US and their fellow travellers all running in the same rogue wolf pack buoyed up by predator neo liberal made global billions. Trump is the ultimate figurehead for the morbidly wealthy and their need to exploit those less fortunate in order to big themselves up to each other and justify their innate criminality.
It's interesting you said "innate" criminality as opposed to "acquired" criminality. That puts a different perspective on Trump's activities; one I hadn't previously thought about. That makes any hope for him changing to be zero/none. (not that I had any hope anyway)
I have found the difference between those who practise acquired criminality and innate criminals to be that the former possess some sense of shame and the latter assume everyone is as criminally minded as they are.
Innate criminality could also be defined as sociopathy and/or malignant narcissism.
Back in the mid 20th Century there was a Standford Study, they studied a group of criminals and a group of cops. Finding: The two groups had the same mentality and moral foundation. The difference was which side of the law that they chose as a profession.
Cops, exhibited their criminality behind a badge, and were more risk adverse than career crimininals.
Thanks for this information. No real surprise. It takes a crook to catch a crook.
Surely Doc Bob, you didn't really think that Trump could or would change?
But as you, the idea of innate criminality vs acquired criminality is worthy of exposition. Some people are born that way. Ted Bundy is a good example.And I know of others, not so extreme as Ted, but born criminals. Nurture can modify and temper nature, but nature often Trumps, nurture. In Trumps case it is both, his father was a cold hearted criminal, and he wasn't raised, he grew up without nurture.
The tv show persona that was developed (a fantasy for sure, given all tfg’s bankruptcies) helped people fall for his act. And the terrible fall out from the financial crisis in 2008 had some horrible consequences for people who lost homes and jobs, leading to a lot of anger. TFG harnessed all that—for awhile—. Now, it appears people are beginning to realize that he is full of air. No substance, only fuel for anger with no solutions.
Dr. Bloxom: Kamala has been laughing at Trump a lot more than Obama did. Somehow it is different. Guess we weren't ready sooner .
I think you are right. I remember the White House press dinner when there were images of the White House gussied up by a potential Trump administration, and I thought even then that they were playing with fire.
Mmm... no fooling: it wasn't the first time in recent memory that the popular vote only meant so much (that broken clock was bound to be right twice today)...
> = |
PS: Here's to leaving shock in CPR class and - instead - our stroke of good luck in a great party ticket!
The shock of the 2016 Drumpf victory hit many of us in a way similar to the 911 attacks. I was morose for several days.
How about morose for 4 long years running, and then almost 4 years after that because the DOJ couldn't get its act together to arrest him in all that time!!!
Well said, Doc. Let’s finish the job. ✊🇺🇸🌊😎
Ellis, I was working with a person at that time, someone from Uzbekistan, a Muslim fellow, who was so worried that Trump might get elected. I, like you, glibly laughed and reassured him that it "wasn't going to happen." And even said it twice: "No -- don't worry about it!" Boy -- did I ever feel bad after that! I felt like I let my friend Aziz down.
I live the metaphor!
So very well said, Dr. Johnson!
Kamala Harris has taken off like the first horse out of the gate at a horse race. The mainstream media was looking for a horse race, well now they have it, and I am sure that this time the best person will win.
I hope you're right, but anything is possible. The 50 or so competitive Congressional Districts are neck and neck. Last month, Rep. Cori Bush lost after facing a record breaking barrage of attack ads. For over a month, slick commercials attacked Bush relentlessly. Bush's opponent and AIPAC gave Bush a one-two punch every commercial break.
The two weeks before the primary election, on some stations all three commercials during a commercial break attacked Bush. Sometimes the same commercial ran twice during one commercial break. I've never seen anything remotely like it. I doubt Bush was able to buy any commercial ad time because it was all booked 24/7.
Bush made a good commercial going down the home stretch, but it was too late to change people's minds after being bombarded with negative ads for well over a month. We are in a new era of dark money attack ads. I am fearful that massive amounts of dark money will be used to manipulate voters with distortions and lies in the key races and areas. AI will be used to determine where to dump tons of money. IMO, dark money with slick group names is a biggest threat to Harris/Walz and democracy.
If Harris/Walz are going to win, they will have to stay on message and positive. They will need an effective rapid response team. Most of all, Harris/Walz will need to appeal to American's better angels and run an effective ground game.
AIPAC, CAIR, any PAC. the soft underbelly of America. Money can buy elections.
The dark side of the 1st amendment.
that’s why time …. lack of it, just might be on our side
Foreigners should be barred from participating in our elections.
Yessiree bob! Quite exhilarating, Marc!
I am Australian, and have been following the Trump saga since 2016 and share your sentiment. I have always revered the US (yes- we in the west do look to you, the US, for leadership) and was dismayed (and somewhat depressed) at where your country was going - it is a very near thing to fascism and dictatorship. Still cannot understand the forces behind MAGA given the imbecilic, juvenile and just plain criminal element that has taken over the GOP. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are a breath of fresh air, and I too was emotional during the nomination speeches. If wily old Joe planned this, he is a supreme strategist. With warm salutations from Australia.
You said, "Still cannot understand the forces behind MAGA given the imbecilic, juvenile and just plain criminal element that has taken over the GOP."
Thanks for your interest from Australia. Please don't feel bad, dismayed or even depressed; some of the greatest minds in the world can't figure it out either. I liked your use of the words "imbecilic", "juvenile" and "criminal" all in one sentence to describe MAGA forces. Outstanding comment. Thank you.
👹It’s very much like Hitler’s appeal was to the German’s and very similar playbook. But now he and his Brownshirts have AI and social media in their tool chest!
We are in very uncertain territory. Between massive VOTER SUPPRESSION and the ELECTORAL COLLEGE, Hitler clone Trump could easily win. see gregpalast.com
voteractionproject.org
aclu.org
😱😱😱😱😱
OUR ONLY HOPE: massive voter turnout, win by a landslide!! That means every one of us working for that massive voter turnout!🤞
The very things that make Democracy the best form of living for a human, are also its weaknesses and downfall.
I think it was bin Laden that said it. We will use the freedoms of Democracy to destroy you.
The very freedoms that we enjoy, like speech and assembly, association and entrepreneur ship, are being used to destroy us and turn us into a corporate theocracy, not unlike Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran but with a different god.
The Hegelian dialectic. Yin and yang.
Ellen, you said "Hitler clone Trump could easily win." You are right. That wouldn't surprise me at all. Yet . . .
The situation is possibly far worse than than what you described. Trump will make sure he "wins" the election one way or another in order to stay out of jail. I suspect that means doing some dreadful things that will cause big controversy and/or trouble, allowing what he thinks will let him weasel his way back into office.
I hope I'm all wrong, but that's what I'm watching for.
Thank you for the Voter Action Project reference.
Ashley, I am so amazed and delighted when someone from another country writes about America! I guess I knew that the world was watching but I am so glad when they send words of encouragement! Thank you. Wishing you in Australia the best!
There are many of us here in Oz, very, very worried that Trump might be anywhere near the WH, who have been greatly cheered by President Biden's selflessness, VP Harris's seemingly flawless shift into running her own campaign, and her inspired selection for VP, Governor Walz. I have spent much of the last three days in tears, but unlike after the 2016 election, when the tears were of despair, frustration and fear, these tears are of joy, positivity and hope for the future. We are cheering you on, and hoping that the best of the USA will prevail over the idiocracy, malevolence and veniality that is the MAGA movement.
Thank you, Robyn! Such powerful words and a supportive message!
Thank you!
as was said in’68
the whole world is watching
It’s great to here you say that. Many thanks. Now, we have to finish the job. Cheers mate! 🍻🇺🇸🇦🇺😎
For Americans who didn’t read the New York City tabloids, Drumpf was not a notable figure in 2016. But because he was apparently a successful business man — a saint of capitalism — many people voted for him. Those voters thought that he might represent a breath of fresh air and shake up the boring old political order. I hope that a majority of those hopeful voters have learned from their mistake.
The Prosecutor v the Criminal. This will be America’s most important election. Is America still a country of Law and Order or is it going to become a dictatorship? I believe in the people and we will preserve our democracy.
Well said, RR. Governor Walz was AWESOME! How can anyone not love Tim? He's a lot like my dad, only a gifted public speaker like my mom. Tim really is "America's dad!"
I am impressed with Harris' pick. Tim is smart, principled and plain spoken. He is exactly when Harris needs for the Great Lakes' swing states. He's an all-around great guy. I just LOVE everything about him!
The Dems showcased a real fighter for the middle class with Governor Walz. They didn't resort to some tacky, fake former semi-pro wrestler to make it appear they've fighting for American families. Dems rolled out a real fighter and patriot with experience and a great vision.
While I'm worried about the pending flow of record amounts of dark money to fear monger, confuse, and manipulate voters, I could not be more optimistic and joyful for progress, freedom, and better way forward.
#Harris/Walz
#TeamHarrisWalz
#DNCjubilee
Danny - “like” I enjoyed his speech but I do believe that his son Gus stole the show with “That’s my Dad”! ;)
The Republicans are scared shitless of Walz, they are trying like hell to label him as a commie. Most Americans have no idea what commie means other than it is a slur, a slam, like leftie or liberal, thanks to a cowardly and complcit media.
My 90 yo MAGA Mom called them socialists- but was unable to define the word- kinda shocking considering she lived through the worst of the Cold War. Last night was uplifting, but we’ve got a lot of work to do- Doing Something!
Vivek Ramaswamy--- In the first place, this nut thought he could run for the office of the President with a name like his. Three syllables are all you're allowed to have in your last name if you want to be President in this country. Vivek's attitude about Ms. Harris is predictable, considering he's a Trump addict. Right now, Kamala is treading in thin ice, she doesn't want to bruise the relationship she has with her commander and chief, however, she does have her own positions on the subjects relevant to our daily lives. Several differences in her positions may exist that differ slightly from Joe's, so she has to very delicately, express herself in such a way not to appear to have policy issues with President Biden. Ram-y knows fully well what is going on, but he is taking the side of the orange guy and calling Harris out for not being open on her thinking. A month ago, this woman wasn't running for anything but her old VP position. Give her a chance to get her feet on the ground Vivek. You lost in your bid, let's see where Kamala goes in her time to shine. By the way, your views and positions are less than appetizing to any good American.
Donald - “like” My fear is not only if the republicans win (they won’t) but that the governor of Ohio has floated Ramaswamy’s name to replace Vance. As if it couldn’t get any worse. Currently trying hard to get Brown re-elected because Moreno is a dumpster fire. So disappointed and ashamed of my state and their choices.
Donald I think that there are remnants of the Indian caste system in Indian American politics.
Though born in America, they were raised in their parents culture and that shit rubs off.
The categories in order include: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. There is also a fifth category known as the Dalits (or Untouchables), the lowest ranking class and often considered to be ''caste-less'' in Hindu
Brahmins are Priests and Teachers
Kshatriyas are Warriors and rulers
Vaishiyas are farmers and trades
Shudras are laborers.
The Liberals, the progressives are of the Vaisiya and Shudra class
The right wingers like Vivek are of the Kshatriya, maybe Brahmin class.
I don't see Brahimins migrating, being the upper class in India, why would they migrate to a society where they would have to start all over again at the bottom.
Americans don't understand the caste system. Originally racial in design. The Rg Veda prescribes that if you let the shadow of an untouochable fall on you, you have to drink your urine. The object was to keep the distance from an untouchable Testosterone and sexual need and intercourse, over time obviated the racial distinction between Aryan and Tamil, and color distinction of caste was impossible, so caste definition shifted to the occupational/social status that was hereditary, and no longer color oriented.
A kernel of truth vastly
oversimplified.
Ofcourse, that is the only way to communicate a complex subject. Reduced it to its' basic elements.
Donald, You point out that "she doesn't want to bruise the relationship she has with her commander and chief". He is still the President of the USA, and as his legally elected Vice President, she may also be bound by certain restrictions. I'm guessing it is quite a balancing act!
I’m more hopeful than I have been in a long time.
Also that picture at the bottom is great.
Yes! I want to hear about that picture!
Thank you and Heather for the story of the photo on this morning's Coffee Klatch - it's a sweet one. Kamala's niece, Mina, took the picture at the 2008 convention. Kamala was running for Attorney General of California, which she won obviously. Heather came across it and shared it with us.... Thank you Heather!
I especially love that it was taken by Mina.
I live in Georgia so pardon my GA-centric take on things. I really appreciated our former Lt. Governor, Geoff Duncan, speaking at the convention last night against Trump and encouraging his fellow Republicans and independents to support Kamala Harris.
We have a 5-member Georgia state elections board where the 3 newest members are election deniers and hard-core MAGAts. I've been reading up on the rules changes they are making, thanks to excellent reporting in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Yesterday, on our daily Georgia political show, the guest was Jason Carter -- grandson of Jimmy, former GA state senator, and chair of the Carter Center. I was grateful to learn that the Carter Center is among the groups carefully watching the elections process in Georgia. (The Center is often called upon to monitor elections world-wide.
We're going to work very hard to try to win the state for the Democrats again.
I thought your Sen. Warnock gave a great speech.
I did too -- especially when describing the events of January 6 as a "cancer" growing through the land -- showing up in the kind of crap I described above. In his August 3 speech in Atlanta, Trump called out the three GA board members BY NAME, praising them for their commitment to "victory."
Last night, Maryland's governor - Wes Moore -- really impressed me too.
The Democratic Party's bench is really deep.
Yes, Wes Moore also. I am happily surprised at the depth of the Democrats bench. I am impressed by so many of the speakers. And, unlike the cynical voices, I believe a statement of positive direction will lead to positive action.
As a former Georgian, I'm rooting for you.
Thomas, I felt really bad, and angry, that the music did not stop when Jason Carter got up to deliver his message from former President Carter that he will be voting for Kamala Harris in November. The music just kept right on going, as though what Jimmy Carter had to say was not important! Jimmy Carter and the Carter Center have done more good work in this world (Habit for Humanity and monitoring of elections around the world) than the dysfunctional United Nations could ever hope to! So I apologize to you for the obtuseness of the DNC! I listened to Jason with appreciation!
And wouldn't you know it -- The guest on today's edition of Politically Georgia;: Geoff Duncan.
Let's Make 'Power-To-The-People' Real... Power, Money, has flowed towards the Top for too long... It has become Grotesque... Let's Strive For The Beauty Of A Healthy DEMOCRACY...
You overlooked that Harris was able to barrel ahead only because Biden not only stepped aside but immediately endorsed her. That instantly made her the only choice. Thank you, Joe!
Exactly!
Americans have found themselves again. An amazing and much-needed relief. Across the finish line!
Kely, yes, I hope Harris-Walz will prevail, crossing the finish line first. I like your comment that "Americans have found themselves again." I do believe we have been lost for a while, letting people who care only for money and power, addicted to money and power, define who we are or who we ought to be. I like the mention of "the common good" in several of the speeches this week because it is like reintroducing the concept to people who once had a sense of what that is, but had either forgotten or had lost hope that we could find it ever again.
Sadly, there are those who think the "Common Good" is code for communism: unless it is about Their common good. Only for them, not for those outside their group.
That is so true, Laurie. They need to listen or read Professor Reich's discussion about the common good. They might understand it then.
Peggy: It's true, that ignorance is not bliss. If only those who are being misled could be educated enough to know how they are the "losers" that their "hero" talks about so much.
That's just it, Laurie! No matter how I show my republican friends the irrefutable facts on every single issue they are screaming and blaming on the Democrats, they refuse to listen or acknowledge those facts are true! It's always fake news to them. You simply cannot get through to some of them. I was encouraged listening to the republican voters at the DNC that have taken off their blinders and have seen the orange man for who he is and what he is trying to do to our Democracy. Vote blue, America!
Peggy, if you have been carefully molded to believe that Trump is god's messenger, it is hard to think that you have been duped by really clever con artists, both political and religious to get you to do what they want. All of us want to believe we are making our own decisions and that we have not dropped off the deep end. The twisting begins a little at a time or with a big bang, like hearing a certain speech, but it does take time to move in on a person's thinking to the point they believe they are independent but are really under the "spell" of a bunch of power-hungry, mostly rather wealthy mostly white men, not god.
Yes, I hear you, Peggy. I just had a retired upper echelon customer who has usually been reasonable when discussion of politics come up. When someone brought it up, he said he just will not listen to statements made by Democrats. I guess he thinks that ignoring facts will make them go away. My guess is that he feels threatened by the immigrants and those who are tired of wealth Inequality. It's easier to keep women "in their place", too.He definitely seemed rattled by what is going on at the Democratic National Convention. It was visceral and evident.
Laurie, the term Communism has been the boogyman for the Right-wingers for nearly a century. Rarely do any of those people have a clue what it is and fewer want to know. Despite calling themselves "communist" no countries now have a system that even parallels what Marx and Engles had in mind when they worked to develop the system. The Republicans need a buzz word they can use against everyone who is not they. Communism, Socialism, justice, fairness, DEI, right to choose have been so twisted in the right-wing bubble, it wouldn't matter if the people were to look the words up in a dictionary; they wouldn't believe it or, like everything else they do politically, they would twist and distort it until it would be unrecognizable anyway.
YES, let's do it!
My fear is that Trump is just the tip of the iceberg; once he's gone, there will still be the mass below the surface: a seething, angry, neofascist movement eager to dismantle democracy. It will push forward another puppet candidate.
There are certainly more neofascists out there but I think once Trump goes down they’ll all scurry back into the wood work.
Without their puppet master pulling their strings they won’t know what to do. Can you imagine MTG without her bull horn? How will they know what bills to kill in Congress without Trump there to tell them?
Yes we need a majority down the ticket so that we can have our Supreme Court returned to a court of justice and integrity, that is of vital importance. And of course there’s more work to be done. Trump has shown us where the cracks are, the next step is patching them.
I am not sure that Trump is intelligent enough to be the puppet master. He is a useful idiot.
It’s corporate billionaires, and foreign interests that pull his things. Yes, he is their useful idiot. He has been all along. 😎
His marching orders are from the Kremlin, and fascist billionaires.
The documentary "Bad Faith" reveals the real Puppet Masters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WYseVO29ZU
Too useful! (What does his example suggest about how intelligence is being defined...?)
Agreed with one caveat. No more patches. Re- pave the entire road.
People overrate Trump’s power. He is the puppet, the provocateur, pitch man for larger darker forces His, to me inexplicable, appeal to angry, ignorant and not necessarily unlettered people is being used to create anarchy and social disintegration. They channel their unhappiness into his anger, he gets away with saying in public their ugliest thoughts and fears. And he despises them.
Bell vs Bush played out against a background of the ugliest most pervasive wallpaper of political attack ads I've ever seen. Vote for me for state auditor because I will use my AR15 to kill illegal aliens. Vote for me for secretary of state because I will protect the Southern border for American families. As your lieutenant governor I will work to stop job-killing federal over reach, higher taxes that pay for free lunch scams and kill babies at all stages of birth.
I live in the 1st district in MO. Ms. Bush talked progressive but didn't show up to vote progressive; then she blundered tone deaf into ethnic politics by volubly supporting Palestinian causes in the most heavily Jewish district in the state in which their support put her in office.
Did Wesley Bell take their money? Yeah, now let's see what he does with it. That's why we have elections.
True but Kamala and Tim will have done much to improve the underlying conditions of staggering wealth inequality, tax unfairness, unaffordable housing, higher education and healthcare—the places where the seeds of rage are created. Vigilance is always required of course.
Trump’s appeal is similar to Hitler’s. And so are the underlying conditions. The more equality of opportunity, the less appeal of these parasites!! 🍀🤞🍀
Michael, I agree there are the fascists awaiting their turn to have at our democracy, but I think enough people have been awakened in the past couple of weeks that we may be less easily fooled into believing anyone as morally sick as Trump and his ilk should have any power. I get it that we have permitted corporations and their owners/operators a fascist impression that having money and a big business makes them eligible for anything more, even to "rule" this nation. I am hoping that hearing people talk about what these entities are doing to us and plan to do to us, may help prepare us for the fascist upsurge that is sure to come probably between now and the election, for certain afterward.
The lying propagandists running certain media must be held accountable. "Truth in advertising" must be restored. Facts must prevail in any news report. Disinformation and misinformation are not free speech.
Laurie, but the question, of course, who will enforce the fact that what Republicans are doing is not "free speech," and needs to be either stopped or presented with a tag that audibly and in writing says that what is claimed is either an out right lie or a distortion of the truth. Like the toddlers they are, they think they can say whatever they want and get away with it as there is no mom around to put them up for a nap when they are out of control. The level of lying in Republican ads this year is astounding, whole ads with not a single truth beyond possibly the name of the organization whose ad it is. They nearly always have a slightly whiny female voice almost pleading that what she says is true when everything she says is a lie. It really is disgusting, though interesting to see just how it is done.
Ruth ; The legal system has been used by the "right" for a long time. Class action suits can be filed in some cases where disinformation has harmed those consuming media. Especially where voters are told the wrong things about where and when voting can happen. Or where repeated attempts to legislate rules designed to make voting more difficult have been attempted and still are. Ads that misinform are election interference and the "ad men" sued. Those in Congress who have , on record, violated their oaths of office by refusing to certify the 2020 election, and possibly , the upcoming 2024 election, should be out of government, as they are traitors, and disqualified under the 14th amendment section 3 disqualification clause. the criminals on the Court who refused to follow and uphold the Constitution have caused harm to this country and interfered with free and fair elections. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as they are traitors and guilty of High Treason. The largest class action suit and RICO case in history should be filed.
Laurie, I would like to see that suit brought, but it probably won't go anywhere while our current SC is sitting with a super majority. They now see themselves as rulers of this nation while they lie that they are trying to be fair blah blah blah. We need the term limits in place so Alito and Thomas are gone and a severe ethics code is in place and the SC is expanded with justices who are really non-partisan and are willing to live the ethics rules on penalty of being removed from the bench if they break them.
They are disqualified and criminal. As long as they are allowed to legislate from the bench, we are compromised. This is hideous.
However, the assault of Americans by Donald Trump - MAGA - Project 2025 has the potential of ensuring Democratic trifectas for a generation or two.
"Project 2029? I DON'T THINK SO."
Michael, that is why our work is never done! There will always be a puppet placed as the head of the snake no matter how many times that puppet is defeated. There will always be angry, hate-filled people that won't accept our Democracy and will try their dead level best to destroy it. Remember Benjamin Franklin when asked if we had a republic or a monarchy said, "A republic, if you can keep it." Our job as Americans is to stay constantly vigilante in order to keep our Democratic republic progressing and moving forward. Vote blue, America!
Like JD Vance when The Orange One comes totally unstuck?
More like "Hang Mike Pence-!"...
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Stray thought after reading CNN’s “Supreme Court’s ‘shadow docket’ returns with a vengeance” article. If democrats also win/retain majority in the House of Representatives and Senate, President Harris’ agenda should include doing something about the Supreme Court. Too many extreme far right, bad decisions coming from that direction.
Yes Bob, that's for sure. Election will help all over the world. Kamala and Tim will create a positive atmosphere and ban uglyness and uncivility and lies. The world will be gratefull.
There is only one thing to say about the coming election. Trump can't win unless it's rigged.
You hit a home run. I'm 82. I was a Republican until shortly after January 6th. And,yes, I'M SO EXCITED. I HAVE HOPE. Trump has dragged the Country down. And I blame media for helping him.