Last night, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced they have agreed to another continuing resolution that will fund the government until March 1 and March 8. Schumer said he will begin the process of passing the continuing resolution when the Senate reconvenes tomorrow.
[[Texas governor Greg Abbott today insisted that the migrants were already dead when his troops stopped the Border Patrol from helping, although that claim does not address the fact that the Texas troops had blocked the Border Patrol’s normal surveillance of the river and had assumed responsibility for it. Abbott tried to argue that the deaths were not his fault but rather Biden’s because, he said, Biden’s policies encouraged migrants to attempt the crossing.]]
Abbott and his troop commanders need to be charged with involuntary manslaughter, at the least. They knew damn good and well that people would die as a result of their actions and Abbott had made it abundantly clear that he didn't care. Also, President Biden should federalize the Texas National Guard and order Abbott and the state troops' commanders arrested on charges of insurrection. This revolt is as bad as Fort Sumter -- in fact, because it has a body count and Fort Sumter didn't, it's worse.
The GQP doesn't have an issue with stepping over dead bodies to hang onto power. I thought when kindergarten babies were sprayed with bullets that would be the cure. Then I thought watching their loved ones die of Covid would do it. But, no. Death is just collateral damage for their cause. As in their forced birth movement and daily mass shootings. We are chattel to them. They really don't give two shits about voters. Project 2025 or The Chattel Project of 2025 as I call it, details how the rich will get richer and the rest of us can go to hell.
This isn't just about owing liberals. It's about owning us.
Why and how is anything that happens in GAZA Biden's fault? This is totally on the Israeli patriarchy for being unprepared for Hamas and Hezbollah and for ignoring warnings about an imminent attack which was put together by Israeli women, so of course, they were ignored. The Jews have always been a patriarchal society. Read the Torah and you can see it.
Netanyahu hasn't lifted a finger to help Ukraine, but yet we have done what we should do when an ally is attacked -- provide support.
Why are you dismissing the fact that hundreds of Israeli women were raped and killed on or about October 7th, by Hamas?
Are you also against attacking the Houthi's in the Red Sea and Yemen?
I blame it all on religion, religious beliefs and dogma. Religion, it appears, is a source of extreme hate instead of brotherly love. I find that the most charitable of people to be among the Liberal Atheists who actually care for the well being of their fellow cohabitants of this planet, including the creatures whose habitats we are destroying.
Richard, I tend to agree. I do believe if it were up to Netanyahu he would obliterate anyone different from him and his beliefs. Religion and the inability to tolerate differences continues to cause wars, chaos. Murder. I could go on. Signed - liberal atheist. Nature is my church and being kind is my religion…
Richard, I don't need an imaginary sky pilot to tell me how do behave, nor do I need some guy who tells me he has a direct pipeline to said sky pilot and I need to give money to help further the sky pilot's wishes.
I am a non-theist, I believe that religion is a futile attempt to understand the unexplainable and was created by men, and that if there is a supreme being, then they are too big for one religion.
Richard, I am reading a book called Why the Bible Began which is an examination of the time and milieu in which the OT was written. There are plenty of verses in there which are counter to how the Israelis have and are now behaving even though they had to respond to that attack. I blame religious fundamentalists and far right pols. I also blame some kind of hubris and maybe misogyny for the top brass not paying attention to what the women who were eyes along the border reported. Not all atheists are kind unfortunately, and I have had a few rounds with a couple of them because they want to paint all believers with the same brush.
It took two World Wars for European countries to stop fighting each other over territory and, yes, religion. NATO and the European Union, are saving them. But some, like Hungary, still don't understand that peace is the path to safety and greater productivity. The problem with peace is that, like democracy, it's hard work. It requires steady commitment, patience and persistence to keep the big picture in mind over time, and keep the faith no matter what.
Discussion of the answer to your first question is in the article I linked.
And your use of the word "dismissing" is misplaced. Palestinian civilians didn't rape and kill Israeli women, but they are being indiscriminately bombed by Israel, which can't keep it up without ongoing military support from the Biden administration. Once again, read that article I linked.
Palestinian "civilians" allowed Hamas to thrive. Palestinian "citizens" stood by and watched as money from Qatar and Iran COULD have been used for civilian infrastructure. But it was used for tunnels and rockets. The "civilians" of Palestine could end this conflict overnight by eschewing a murderous leadership that has only one mission - the destruction of a nation and the deaths of it's inhabitants.
The people of Gaza could end this today by turning over to the IDF the Hamas gangsters that use their own children as shields. Turn over the anarchist cowards who seek death for the most persecuted society in the history of modern civilization.
I find it odd that someone can make a pop-psychology statement about a society he’s clearly never lived in (patriarchal society) based on a set of bronze-age books.
John, don't you support Conservatives though? All of them have said that they don't even support Biden sending aid to Palestine and Trump has said he would deport any Palestinian who is on a work Visa in the US? To blame a 75+ year conflict on Biden alone seems pretty naïve at best, and ignorant at worst. Biden has been pushing for a 2 state solution, and negotiated a couple humanitarian pauses, and yet Bibi and the far right government of Israel don't want peace, nor does Hamas because they refuse to stop shooting rockets and won't return all the hostages... We also do trade with China and they are committing genocide as well. There are a few other genocides going on in the world, and I don't see you blaming Biden for those? What solutions do you actually want? Nitpicking is easy, coming up with nuanced, and practical solutions is hard...
Perhaps it is well to remember that Israeli settler extremists in the West Bank are terrorists, and therefore Israel, funding the settlers and giving them guns, is a state sponsor of terrorism.
See “France Calls West Bank Israeli Settler Violence a ‘Policy of Terror’”
1. Israel faces an existential crisis as soon as the U.S. "aid spigot" gets cut off for whatever reason (including possible American political or economic crisis).
2. Any viable solution must enable Israel to be secure without constant infusions of American aid.
3. This requires peace with Israel’s neighbors, including Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
4. This requires undoing the Nakba terrorist atrocity and withdrawing to the U.N.-mandated pre-1948 borders.
5. This can only be done in the context of peaceful economic integration throughout the region, for the benefit of all. A lasting peace must be guaranteed individually by each permanent member of the U.N. Security council, and endorsed by Israel’s neighbors.
6. The recent Hamas atrocities were sparked by provocations (yet again) at the Dome of the Rock. The dream of rebuilding the Temple of Herod must be given up and replaced by the will to rebuild the Temple of Solomon in its correct location.
I'm not missing your point... I'm just trying to figure out what exactly your position is... You've come on this page often, and you defend conservative (US) policies and always blame Democrats for everything, and Biden in this case, but Trump didn't do anything to lessen tensions in Israel and Palestine, and even moved the US embassy. Further all the current GOP politicians who are running for office including Trump have all indicated that the humanitarian crisis would be worse with them in charge.
Regarding your point about this: "Perhaps it is well to remember that Israeli settler extremists in the West Bank are terrorists, and therefore Israel, funding the settlers and giving them guns, is a state sponsor of terrorism."
Yes the settlers in the west bank who terrorize Palestinians are terrible humans and the Biden administration has already sanctioned those individuals. You calling all of Israel a terrorist regime though, is kind of similar to you getting mad at people because they say that Palestine let Hamas be in charge. I don't see anyone on this thread, or even me who has ever defended Israeli settlers or settlements in the West Bank. I literally just talked about a two state solution.
Now regarding your other points, I do love that you are solutions oriented and I love some of your ideas. I'll respond to them below.
1 - I think the US wants this too... Most Americans are tired of funding wars and the killing of innocents across the world. There has also been a ton of evidence recently that the Biden admin has been pushing allies, the Israeli government and even other countries in the middle east to support a 2 state solution. Even the UAE has said that they'd formalize relations with Israel if there was a 2 state solution. That's big news.... I think based on the protests over the years in Israel, the majority of Israeli's are disatisfied with their governemnt and do not support the super right wings in leadership positions in government right now or their policies.
2 - Agreed...
3 - 100% agreed, but peace with your neighbors in this case can only exist if Iran cases to keep trying to develop nuclear weapons and also support terrorist groups that want to literally exterminate Israel.
4 - I don't see how that can happen, because before Nakba didn't like 7 countries try to wage war on Israel and exterminate them? We can't undo what has already been done. I also don't see any reality where we can force Israel without force to redo their existing borders.
5 - I agree, I think you'll also need China and Russia to agree with that. Good luck with that.
6 - I think most Hamas members don't care about the Dome of the Rock or anything but killing. But even so, maybe you are right. It still doesn't excuse terrorism.
Palestinians seem to me to be pawns in Iran's jihad against Israel and her allies...especially the US. Iran is supporting terrorist groups with money and weapons. But somehow The Biden administration which has worked furiously behind the scenes to get aid to the Palestinians and moderate Israel's response is responsible for the deaths in Palestine. Biden is an easy target I guess. Israel is an ally, a sovereign nation and surrounded by enemies who have vowed to destroy her. The US should withhold aid to Israel now? I am wary of armchair quarterbacks with no skin in the game.
The modern state of Israel was founded on an extended terrorist atrocity known as the Nakba.
Perhaps it is well to remember that Israeli settler extremists in the West Bank are terrorists, and therefore Israel, funding the settlers and giving them guns, is a state sponsor of terrorism.
See “France Calls West Bank Israeli Settler Violence a ‘Policy of Terror’”
Trump urged people to go vote no matter the weather conditions without saying a word re peoples personal safety voting for him was more important than well being
I think we all are obliged to pursue self-interest of necessity, and I think there is some touch of narcissism in most or all of us; but that it's also integrated and balanced by other values and motives for a civilized person. When self-centeredness, as individuals or groups, pushes every other consideration out of the nest, and other people and things become objects to be personally manipulated or destroyed, I think it is identical to "evil". The root of all evil perhaps. We as a society need to examine how it functions a great deal more closely
Absolutely we all have a bit of narcissism. Most mental health professionals do not have a complete understanding of Narcissist Personality Disorder. They always said it came from trauma. But that's not always the case. I know that for a fact. Less than 1% are actually diagnosed. They are verbally and emotionally abusive until it turns physical. Our Domestic Abuse shelters are filled with their victims. We are surrounded by them. Over 60 million suffer in silence.
We need to talk about how they dominate the narrative. I know a young man who was considering suicide as an option because he feels so devalued by his narcissist wife. Another one who's husband is so verbally and emotionally abusive she finally left him. But now struggles with suicide ideation.
We have too many politicians that don't care who they abuse to secure their own employment. I fear Billionaires like Leo and Harlan Crow. They are dangerous and toxic.
"I know a young man who was considering suicide as an option because he feels so devalued by his narcissist wife"
Hmmmm.......he needs a good friend to tell him to dump his wife and move on. A couple of years after she is gone he will be back to whatever was normal for him (assuming he was not suicidal before the wife came in the picture).
Why punish one's own self as a response to abuse by another person?
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy."
Lincoln was confronting literal slavery, a patent crime against humanity and the very thing the founders found repugnant in monarchy. We on on dangerous ground when we attempt to dominate
To some degree, we are all the stars of our own show, but most of us recognize others have lives/feelings/desires as well. Narcissists think they are the stars of their own show and everyone else's too. Maintaining that fantasy takes tremendous psychic energy, and a typical narcissist has to maintain this with limited emotional maturity and resources. To them, every challenge, no matter how small, is an existential threat. Most become manipulative and abusive to maintain the fallacy that they are the center of everyone's universe. I have worked with 2 such people in my career, and it was some of the most painful times of my life. Not because of the constant abuse, though that was painful, but because of what I was becoming in order to function in such a dysfunctional situation. One thing about narcissists, once you know what buttons to push, they are fairly easy to manipulate. Doing this, however, can make you complicit in their abuse of others. I had to leave both jobs to avoid this.
MAGA is led by a narcissist who is surrounded by manipulators, hostages, and other victims. The other thing I learned about narcissists, they grow worse over time unless they are stopped by those around them. This is the reality we are dealing with now. There is no person or group on the right who is willing/able to challenge this deep dysfunction. It is up to us.
We also need to realize, acutely, that political leaders like Trump, or Hitler, had huge populations ready to adore them like no other, aided and abetted of course, by well oiled political machinery.... the kind of machinery, mind you, the Dems need to pull of a victory in 2024.
Steve, yes…that moment when it becomes clear that sour-dread-this-is-not-who-I-am feeling in the pit of your stomach is from reacting/responding to “keep up” in the interpersonal dynamic. It’s important to know when to walk (or run!) away.
a touch of narcissism in all of us , but I think our winner takes all economic system and the crass consumerism that is so pervasive in American society encourages it, almost demands it if you want to survive or avoid homelessness.
"American society encourages it, almost demands it if you want to survive or avoid homelessness"
I thought about this for a long time before posting Tracy. I left an East Texas farm where we had (very little) but hard work. I left because of the zero money lifestyle.
When I arrived at college I heavily prioritized study over friends, girlfriends, etc., and then, having made some friends in spite of not prioritizing them, I moved on to grad school and just left them all behind. I was only thinking about my continued movement away from the "no money" life.
In grad school, again, I prioritized the PhD and the work.
Finally, I graduated and went to work and focused heavily on career. Still, people did not matter.
BUT, I did mange to acquire a wife as part of my walk. When my kids were born (twins), I suddenly awakened from my self focus. My kids were so awesome I shifted my focus to them.
I had so much fun with my little kids and then my teenage kids and now my adult kids that THEY taught me how to value people because, THEY do.
Now, I cannot say I am an extrovert. But, I can say I think about the needs of the few friends I have collected. I carefully try not to focus on myself.
BUT, when I was young? It was all about me getting off the farm. And staying off.
So, I agree with you. America sort of pushes folks who are not born rich into self focus.
BUT, that does not explain TRUMP. He inherited $570 million dollars of assets in 1973 or so. Big money.
So, what caused his self focus which continues today? I don't know.
Yes, I recall reading an article which argued that most corporate leadership is inhabited with "sociopaths". From my casual reading of the historical past, I'd say that applies throughout. I'm not sure these words best describe human leadership. One theme, eg argued by Stalin during his confidential asides with various WW2 commanders was, you had to "tough" to succeed at running a state. Of course, that was Stalin, and this was a state of desperate war. Little wandering here?
"I recall reading an article which argued that most corporate leadership is inhabited with "sociopaths".
The above sentence was absolutely my experience in three big corporations. The dictatorial, all white male setup breeds sickness.
And? Since essentially ALL of the management was and remains white and male, the MOST important skill that those managers must develop and utilize is crawling on their knees when they are with their own manager.
Picture a line of grown, white men, on their knees, all of them aggressively kissing the arse of the white male manager above them and you have a very clear picture of the most prodigious activity in a modern American corporation.
When I was a small town cop (contract deputy for a city of about 5K) we had some interesting small-town politics going on, and a couple of city councilors that were really out of step. It was during one of these small town "tempest in a teapot" situations that one of the city employees did a little digging, and found an article that said that a lot of sociopathic tendencies were found in elected officials. They read me one paragraph that described one of these counselor's to a "T". I found that fascinating.
And malignant narcissists are the ones who drool over becoming adored leaders of cults. Watch How to Become a Cult Leader on Netflix. This rise in narcissism is a sure negative by-product of social media. Turn it off.
Yes, it is a tongue in cheek, but very accurate for those of us who study cults. It might demonstrate to the wannabe leaders, but it also teaches those who are vulnerable how to discern when they are being gaslighted and to be mindful instead of min-controlled and manipulated. We need to teach critical thinking skills and how to deal with bullies and liars in kindergarten to create a better country.
"Specific factors in cult behaviour are said to include manipulative and authoritarian mind control over members, communal and totalistic organization, aggressive proselytizing, systematic programs of indoctrination, and perpetuation in middle-class communities. Are all cult leaders narcissists? Probably not, but the percentage of cult leaders who aren’t narcissistic is probably ultimately pretty small. If you’re wondering if a certain group or organization is a cult or cultlike, take a look at its leader — does he or she exhibit any of the telltale signs of the narcissist? If so: run the other way, and fast. Nobody intentionally joins a cult — but many get entrapped by cults due to the cunning and charm of their narcissistic leaders." Thank God the first time I heard trump speak I was completely repulsed. I knew my emotional and critical thinking skills were completely intact. But others not so intact fall for creatures like him. The only way out is take him away and allow de-programming to happen. Ginni Thomas is a perfect example of a person completely vulnerable to cult personalities. And she is dangerous as someone married to a corrupted Supreme Court Justice.
“Collateral damage” is, perhaps, the worst sanitizing euphemism of all time. Dead, dismembered, traumatized, grieving, homeless, helpless innocents. That’s who we’re talking about.
What kinds of actions or situations might make the supporters of Trump and Mike Johnson-types turn against them? Church sins, especially sexual? Illegal acts than result in court convictions? Votes or non-votes that result in cutoffs of Social Security payments? What?
My boil blood boils when I hear this sentiment spoken, especially by seemingly smart people. Do you people even think about or listen to the words that come out of their mouths?
I'm not supporting the sentiment, Marj, just reporting what I've been hearing for quite a while. Evangelicals' support is based on sex, reproduction and getting religion back into the schools... etc. Mind you, there are evangelicals who do NOT support Trump.
Of course! I have a typo in my statement - I wrote 'Do _you_ people even think about or listen to the words that come out of their mouths?' and did not intend the 'you' to be included!
I tried to edit my comment. I thought if I clicked on the 3 little dots an edit option would open. Not so.
That is the million dollar question. They keep moving goal posts. I've seen his supporters not flinch an eye at his abuses and the become outraged because he called DeSantis names. Sadly, his abuses may be normal in their own lives. My experience has been they live in their bubbles. I had to explain what white privilege is to a number them. They don't get it. They don't want to get it. Their own bigotry usually shows its ugly face. Bigotry is alive and thriving. Victimization is a useful tool for them. Like a big one.
That’s their reaction bc you are expecting them to see the error in something that they wholeheartedly believe should be the way of the world.
What you expect them to see as wrong is exactly what they are fighting so strongly against logic to preserve.
The rest of this comment is about what all of us need to do instead of lamenting how awful things are.
As a country, we MUST convict Trump, vote against all MAGA every where we can, & force the MAGA hand to decide if they will really provoke a civil war/revolution.
We don’t want a war, but we can’t back down in holding people accountable to the law out of fear of war. They win, if we back down, bc we settle for their immorality & lawlessness.
I just wish I knew how to prepare for a war so that I could stand a fighting chance.
This is important bc
reading today’s comments made me realize that my own mother would turn me in to MAGA police out of self preservation.
She has to in order to maintain her sanity by putting away from herself the realities of her complicity to the GOP atrocities.
Think of the girls in the Salem witch trials as depicted in The Crucible, & Mayella Ewell after being caught kissing Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird.
We will be accused of “crimes” for speaking out, being an activist, a counselor, a teacher, an “other.”
This will happen to many of us if we lose the next election.
Patriarchy provides even the women & poor with a superiority, even if not the “moral superiority” they thought they had.
They might take second & third place to the wealthiest, but it’s still better than __. Fill in the blank with all the propaganda they’re consuming each day.
Again, my mom has been on soc security since 1992, when her husband died.
Her beliefs in the patriarchy are why such an “independent” woman of the ‘60’s left her job as soon as she got married.
Why she gave in to every argument w/ her husband, no matter how sound her reasoning.
Why she had 7 children, even though she emotionally, mentally, & physically couldn’t manage us all.
Her beliefs keep her voting against herself, despite all 6 of her remaining children (2 republicans, even) telling her that she should vote differently.
She has to keep voting her way bc sh sees it as her duty as the matriarch of the patriarchy.
We are just her children & can be sacrificed, but prayed for, to maintain the system as she understands it.
So…
Democrats need to canvass for votes all year long to ensure a victory in Nov.
Can’t walk? Make calls & send postcards. Seriously.
There are voting lists we use to prevent having to deal with conflicts with the republicans. Of course there are a few we come across bc they are duplicitous in primaries.
But getting out & reminding people of the Biden successes, of how to access ballots & of deadlines is key to winning.
Yes, deprogramming can take a long time does not always work. Some of Charles Manson's female cult followers went to jail for decades and to this day still believe he is their supreme commander. I cannot even imagine. However, some of the fake-tanned Inmate # P01135809's followers who participated in the J6 violent insurrection were in jail for a much shorter time periods and healthily exclaimed when they were released, how shocked they were that they believed the demented orange bloviator's lies to them. They are our most powerful weapon for working with the wake-able magas. Some who are just plain racist, kkk, dominant-male types won't budge since it is who they identify with as weak males in our society.
I predict when the republicans “reform” social security and all elderly affected people have less, they will clamor for MORE and blame the dems. I believe we live in the Twilight Zone.
One action that would turn their heads is if they embraced multicultural America and denounced white supremacy. Stopping the cruelty would also work. Poof-most of them would turn away from the Republicans
There are none so deaf as they who will not hear. Who said that? A leads to B leads to C in our game of chess, but the opponent lost interest at B and has no interest in the rules unless Large Mouth Ass is declared winner.
We The People need to think long and hard about what can do about this horrific situation.It is only going to get worse.”Owning the libs” is one thing but allowing innocent deaths of fellow human beings is quite another. Abbot’s cruelty is unconscionable.How much more death and destruction will happen before next November ?If Republicans control us, we are doomed.
This is exactly what fascism looks and smells like. Immigrants are nothing but "vermin" to republicans....as are women with rights. They will be coming for all of us if we do not reverse this march against democracy. VOTE LIKE YOUR LIVES DEPEND UPON IT—BECAUSE THEY DO!
As Beau of the Fifth Column frequently states (and this should be repeated by all of us, over and over and over and over):
Republicans don't want to REPRESENT you, they want to RULE you.
EDIT: my goodness, I only got down about a dozen comments and all the crap starts again. I located my post to add this edit. I swear, there are factions of crazy that are taking over what used to be dignified discussions over disagreements.
I've said that same thing for years. Rule not govern. They will change the Constitution to say one thing. The right to own. That is what A.L.E.C is doing right now. They are attempting to gain the 36 states needed to ratify the Constitution. They bought the Supreme Court for this purpose.
It is amazing how many people seem to know EXACTLY what is going on in the heads of all the leaders of state, of other countries and of the outside operators. They should be right there in the Oval office with the entire cabinet. Short of that,
Indeed Lisa, They are only concerned about fetuses because that gets them votes from the anti-abortion folks. Otherwise, death is fine.....children, people in all sorts of public places, pandemics. The name Chattel Project certainly fits. Power and money. When I post Heather's letters to Facebook, I always end with vote D. Amazing that a large percentage of Rs in Iowa think it is OK to vote for a traitor, an insurrectionist, a criminal, and who is now more and more senile.
When I went to the bank last week (because I got phished by a fake Amazon account). The teller was a young college student. We had a discussion about why it's important to vote Blue. I look for opportunities every where I go to bring up this conversation. While hoping I don't get shot doing it.
Please, Lisa! We are being hamstrung, threatened, sued and gunned down in hospitals and clinics. We all did what we could do during Covid, and now being lumped in with killers?? What do I tell my med students?
Wear bullet proof vests? Even here in blue Massachusetts we get advice about active shooter drills.
That is so grieving on too many levels. This is trauma. Both parties have failed us on gun control. What in fuck is it going to take to stop this? I don't know what you can tell them. Cover their ass sounds trite. Tell them everyday how valuable they are and we literally could not survive without them. It is heart crushing that this country has normalized violence. That says, to me...a big fuck you from our politicians. Suck it up. Too damn bad. Get over it. Heavy sigh.
Lisa59, Beverly Falls, in plain English you're absolutely right. I would add to what you said, but you've said it all. Federal law has been violated by the Texas state governor.
Abbott is a coward. He boasts that " we are doing everything but shoot them" and then when people die he blames others for his actions. What a sorry state Texas is in.
I just listened to Rob Reiner's podcast series on the JFK assassignation. The answer is so much worse than we thought. I highly recommend listening to it all.
Mike S, until it does. Texan Gerrymanders are little bullies strutting their “power” of fuel like a Putin. Shut off the pipeline? Wait what? No money to Big Oil? Who’s gonna yell about that?
DHS has sent a cease & desist letter. Recommend a Federal Grand Jury. ASAP. Locals have erected crosses where many others have died. ABC News published a photo of the barrier Abbott built. Note, litigation is already pending.
Just Amend the Complaint NOW! Key DHS Counsel.is Jonathan Meyer.
Exactly right! The DOJ supplemented it's previously filed Declaration with the 5th Circuit to clearly demonstrate the blatantly unconstitutional interference by Texas' "Military Dept." Into the Border Patrol's duties and obligations, even prior to the horrific death of three human beings
I'm not sure the two events overlap very much, but yes, there is an echo of the Civil War here that "Republican" strategists have whipped up to divide and conquer. Abbott must somehow be held accountable.
Remember Uvalde when 'Ironsides' heavily armed troops stood by, cowering behind vehicles while kids were being massacred? No humanity, no shame for this gun loving right-to-lifer!
Says a lot about police who do not want to get massacred themselves becasue civilians have weapons of mass destruction. If police are afraid of the weaponry, that is grounds for gun control and they should be behind it.
Ally, I believe you were or are in the police force-- do they really think more is better? We cannot fill positions for police here, I would think dealing with violence with gun-toting citizens would steer people away. Or not respond quickly to stay safe. I do not blame them, but they are our first responders...
Yes, retired after 28 years full time and 7 years part time. The answers to your questions are my opinion/observations only:
Yes, they do think more is better. More staffing, more equipment, especially when it comes to that small percentage of calls that are what we used to refer to as "high pucker factor". Responding to armed subject calls are ALWAYS of that nature.
Police recruiting is down for a variety of reasons; the two that I heard most often were the danger and not having enough appropriate equipment to deal with the situations, and the "disrespect" that "most" citizens have for law enforcement. There are also the standards that potential recruits must meet, both from a physical fitness standard and from a psychological and/or educational standard. These requirements exist mostly to "weed out" unacceptable candidates early in the process, but also to ensure that the applicant can physically do the job.
The main argument for more "tactical" equipment is exactly what you cite: The violence potential from gun-toting citizens. There have been police incidents (Newhall in San Diego, where dead officers had reloaded their revolvers and, per their range training, put the spent shells in their pockets. This started the ("realistic police training" movement) and the North Hollywood bank robbery where the responding officers were completely outgunned by the bank robbers and had to resort to going to a gun shop to get rifles, which started the nationwide movement to arm street officers with semi automatic rifles.
Your last two sentences are profound. Often times the "speed" at which law enforcement responds to an incident seem slow, but there are a myriad of variables that need to be addressed as cops respond to a call; safe approach, site assessment, concern for bystanders, accurate scene assessment, adequate personnel to handle the situation and appropriate equipment. I have a ton of anecdotal information on these issues and situations, but the coffee hasn't kicked in yet to make a readable response.
There is case law out of NY that says that law enforcement does not have an implied "duty to respond" in a dangerous situation where they could be injured or killed. Radiolab has an excellent podcast on that event:
It is contrary to most law enforcement training and most law enforcement mind set, Yet there is case law that protects officers who decide to protect themselves.
Mike, their utter dereliction of duty absolutely disgusts me. I cannot speak with any knowledge about the training that Texas requires for law enforcement certification; I know that by the time I retired in 2013 (and quit researching police use of force) states in the south and south east lagged far behind what we do on the west coast.
I was working as the daytime contract deputy in my town of 5K (one each elementary, middle, and high school) when Sandy Hook occurred. I spent quite a bit of time at all the schools the following couple of weeks, but most (as you might imagine) at the elementary school. My night-time compatriot (who came on duty just as schools were dismissing for the day) talked about our tactical response plans.
Our town is 8 miles south of where our main office is; response time by other officers is, at best, 5 minutes (other deputies, officers from neighboring jurisdictions, the State Patrol). We decided that if cover couldn't get there within a couple of minutes after our arrival on scene, we would go in solo. Period, even though that was in contravention of our training. We also had 3 deputies that lived in our little town; all three were within a 3 minute response, and all of them knew of and agreed with our plan. I thankfully was never confronted with this and I was prepared to respond.
I cannot imagine being there at Uvalde and NOT going in.
Abbott may insist that the migrants were dead when his troops stopped the Border Patrol from helping, what is not clear to me is whether the Texas troops simply watched this woman and her children drown. What kind of people are they?
Not as I read the statute. You bring up an interesting point though, in that if federal agents were denied entry, they could charge under federal laws. My dive into the statute was both to figure out definitions, but also to figure out their use of force justifications.
This is the same Greg Abbott that complained last weekend that his troops couldn't just shoot migrants because they'd be charged with murder. He's trying to walk it back now, but Abbott and other Republican leaders have indicated that they think shooting people trying to enter the country, or that they can just go into Mexico and kill people. Unfortunately a lot of Republican voters simply don't care. The top issue for Republican voters in Iowa was Immigration, and they want mass deportations and they want to hurt people who they see as an "Other", it's insane that these people call themselves Christians...
Lex, an act of omission is as bad as an act of commission. I dove into the Texas Statutes yesterday (or the day before). Under state law, I could find the unlawful homicide statutes were: Murder, Capital Murder, Manslaughter , and Negligent Homicide. The Murder statutes list those specific crimes for which the death penalty is authorized, and if the victim is not one of the people mentioned or the actor is not incarcerated, the death penalty does not apply. Manslaughter is defined as "reckless" and Negligent Homicide is defined as "negligent".
Reckless is defined as "knowledge of and conscious disregard" of conduct that could lead to injury or death, where Negligent is defined as where an actor "should be aware" that his conduct could lead to injury or death.
I would say that as agents of the government, the Texas "patrol" at the very least exhibited "reckless" behavior, but to my mind, the failure to act to prevent the event is a more intentional act. In my mind, I'd charge murder, but settle for a manslaughter plea.
Lex, Abbott said that they would really like just to shoot them. This way people will die and they will lie about it and deny their culpability. I like your idea of making the those Texas troops federal and arresting Abbott and the top commanders.
Hear, hear. The letter from the federal attorney should have been a request to turn themselves in. This nonsense will continue until and unless someone steps in to stop it and the federal government is the only someone in a position to do so.
Quite so. The government toyed around with accountability after the Civil War and we still haven't recovered from that yet. It needs to be hauling these insurrectionists in and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law.
I've had the same thought, but I've got friends and family in the blue islands of Houston, Galveston and Fort Worth who would suffer undeservedly if that happened, not to mention all the other blue voters in the state, of whom there are quite a few.
All the blue voters in Texas can move elsewhere? I mean, I get where the impulse to say that comes from, but from a realistic, practical standpoint, a lot of people CAN'T move out of state. They need their jobs and would have trouble finding one elsewhere, they care for sick or elderly relatives, what-have-you.
Lex, this truth makes it even more astounding to me of those who will leave behind everything, risk everything, to travel sometimes 1,000’s of miles in hopes of safety and/or a better life.
keywords "assumed responsibility for it." Period. What section of the TX Guard is this anyway? How did this coup, as I think of it, since they took over the US border, come into being? Nuts and bolts. This is practice for defying the Federal Gov't and getting away with it. DOJ will probably need a massive push to come down on Abbot and the Guards officers, but Garland should consider it urgent in view of the election in 10 months.
Thank you for bringing us up to date on the actions of the Congress Critters while mainstream media is focused on the Iowa Caucus.
Basically it seems that there’s no aid to our allies until there’s an immigration package and there won’t be an immigration package through the House until there’s a Republican president. With the Republican front runner refusing to support Ukraine, Zelensky must feel very disheartened—if Biden wins reelection without Democrats winning the House and the Senate, Ukraine gets no aid, and if Trump wins, Ukraine gets no aid. No wonder our allies no longer trust the hot mess that MAGA Republicans have made of our legislature.
And without military support to Ukraine from USA, how long before US-NATO boots will be on the ground in Poland fighting back Russian troops? Oh wait, I forgot about Trump’s promise to his Master Putie, to throw-out NATO.
Given the rate at which Russia is losing men and materiel, he may not have enough to do the job. Attrition of our foe is something the Rs don't either understand (or maybe want); nor do they seem to subscribe to the idea that, by supplying arms to Ukraine, we are replacing ours with new stock and keeping factories running. (I'm not a fan of the Military Industrial Complex, but do acknowledge the fact that there is strength in power and power in strength.)
"Given the rate at which Russia is losing men and materiel, he may not have enough to do the job. "
Yes, and that is exactly why he will use his trump card (pardon the pun): nuclear arms. Don't forget that Putin doesn't care jack sh*t about human lives, be it Americans, Europeans or his own people. And I'm afraid that Europe is too divided to stand up against that without the US to support us...
Just what everyone wants. A third land war in Europe. Just because the US may or may not have left NATO, doesn’t mean that the rest of the European bloc will have left also.
Picture it. All of the NATO alliance on one side. The US and Russia on the other.
Yeah, no. Yet one more reason why Big Orange must lose in November.
“The “rules-based international order” has allowed our planet to be dominated by an empire of extreme murderousness and depravity at the cost of nonstop bloodshed and ever-increasing tyranny.
If the “rules-based international order” has allowed all these things to happen, what kind of “rules” are we talking about exactly? And what kind of “order” do they sustain?
If this is what the “rules-based international order” looks like, would we not, perhaps, be better off without it?”
You actually think that Russia targets those things?
I remember when yet another Ukrainian anti-missile missed its target and exploded in Poland. The Ukrainian propaganda machine, including Zelensky himself, hysterically insisted that it was a Russian missile.
Yes, tragically Trump will be carrying Putin's water, telling every area fighting for survival and independence to simply surrender to the oppressive attacker. Trump says he would "negotiate" - meaning he would back his war crime buddy/mentor and hand over Ukraine, Palestine, Gaza, any other areas of dispute to who gives him/Trump the most "praise."
Just like the GOP tells women, if you are raped, there's nothing you can do about it,
so simply lay back and "enjoy it." Then bear the rapist's baby, even if it costs you your own life.
Simon Rosenberg paints a much more optimistic picture. Stick this in a browser and you should be able to read it. Or just click on the link. That should open it. (I just tested it after someone complained they couldn't open it.
I subscribe to Hopium - Simon Rosenberg. This crowd needs to check out that link. Most all the news is so disheartening it feels like there is no hope, that crazies really are in charge of the asylum and “this could be as good as it gets”. Simon is focused, looks at data and keeps on supporting candidates and getting others on board calling, donating, postcarding and most importantly believing that we shall overcome
As Simon says: "Biden is a good president. Tell a friend." And he reminds us that despite all the publicity the MAGAs get, Democrats have been winning elections - one after the other.
Thanks for posting this, David.
For those in despair I recommend reading Hubble and Rosenberg daily - for balance and facts.
We will pay the price for NOT honoring and supporting Ukraine's struggle for freedom.
Although we are far from Ukraine.....I would like for each of us to remember the flight of its citizens by train, plane, foot, any available vehicle....etc. as Russia began bombing Ukraine.
Ukraine's beautiful historic buildings being broken to pieces.....as little children have been taken to Russia to "brainwash".
This was one reason for increase in US immigration ...but not only us: Poland, France. the UK and other countries received many fleeing human beings just wanting to be able to live regular lives.
There was the government in Venezuala and the economy that "tanked" and the citizens who
migrated to the US.
There are floods, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, the impossibility of an education for adults or children.....the impossibility of finding a home, food or jobs. They come to us with maybe a backpack filled with all they have.
Immigrants are human beings who see HOPE in a Democracy our forefathers have fought for ....here and all over the world. Being against helping migrants is one of the most unAmerican actions we could be a part of.
Cruelty is NO SOLUTION. Migration will not stop just as catastraphies throughout the world will not stop. Ignoring the problem.....watching as a family, children, single adults risking their lives to go through a river after walking miles and miles is such a slap in the face to persons who want to call themselves "Americans" or "Christians!"
Let me tell you another disaster will come if DT should become President again.....there will be other migrations for those who are able to leave this country.
There will be no "Build Back Better"....education will become a brainwashing device....our earth, our rivers and sky will "cry out" from neglect.
Rules and confines will be introduced that no US citizen ever imagined. Trumps picture will be required to be hung in all the churches....NO ONE ELSE IS TO BE WORSHIPED!
It breaks my heart and causes my very soul to ache at the acceptance of a human being who is using even my friends....my family....to follow in the disasterous path that lies ahead if DT is elected.
For Stephen Miller, it appears that cruelty towards migrants IS the objective. He and TFG seem to be supported by people who are perfectly happy to have less as long as “the other” has still less. Ezra Klein’s book “Why We’re Polarized” quotes studies in which people, given a choice between everyone getting $100, will choose getting $75 if it means that those not in their tribe get $50. Additional similar studies are cited in Erica Etelson’s book “Beyond Contempt”; I thoroughly recommend it for its field-tested recommendations on how to have civil discussions that have the potential to change minds.
One of the best things a Russian has ever done was Moussorgski writing Pictures at an Exhibition. This I'm saying in support of the obsetvation that Ukraine must contain beauty to so inspire. Why destroy such a place? Tear down paradise and put up a parking lot.
Ukraine has been enslaved by the International Monetary Fund (where the NATO countries have voting domination), and turned into a zombie soldier against Russia. Zelensky, having publicly promised to maintain Ukraine's commitments to the IMF, CANNOT stop fighting without risking his immediate overthrow.
Meanwhile, Biden's longstanding involvement in Ukrainian corruption is sure to provide grist for the mill as the House Republicans gear up for an impeachment clown show. Know what the "other side" has to say:
Ukraine's oppressive neo-fascist thug regime is not "democratic." In Ukraine, all the opposition parties have been suppressed after Zelensky capitulated to neo-Nazi war-mongers and reneged on his campaign promise to bring peace to the Donbass region.
A few months ago, both Zelensky and Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau applauded as the Speaker of Canada's House of Commons praised a Ukrainian who was a real-life Nazi, a member of a Nazi SS unit that committed genocide against Poles during World War II. After international condemnation, Speaker Anthony Rota quickly resigned.
When Zelensky became President, he initially moved toward fulfilling the Minsk Agreements that had "frozen" the civil war in the Donbass and outlined a pathway toward peace. But then he capitulated to the Neo-Nazis (who controlled Ukraine's Interior Ministry, in charge of the police stations) and eventually re-ignited the frozen war, precipitating the Russian invasion. We are being lied to.
In August, after U.S. Secretary of State Blinken announced more aid for Ukraine, Zelensky posted a video showing him with Ukraine's most prominent Neo-Nazi Andriy Biletsky:
See also (from 2019) "Neo-Nazis and the Far Right Are On the March in Ukraine":
"Five years ago, Ukraine’s Maidan uprising ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, to the cheers and support of the West. Politicians and analysts in the United States and Europe not only celebrated the uprising as a triumph of democracy, but denied reports of Maidan’s ultranationalism, smearing those who warned about the dark side of the uprising as Moscow puppets and useful idiots. Freedom was on the march in Ukraine.
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
I take issue with calling the House “a bit of a laughingstock.” Way too polite. It’s a national embarrassment and a threat to the country’s well-being.
Michael you are right! Democrats need to stop with the political correctness! Call them out for what they are - TERRORISTS! It is precisely what they are and every possible effort must be made NOW to bring these terrorists to justice.
The Department of Justice has been an abysmal failure in upholding the Constitution and preserving the rule of law. Replace Garland with Kamala. She will get things done!
Democrats need to give as good as they get. Republicans modus operandi is to throw as much shit as they can hoping something sticks. They lie over and over until their cult believes it is the truth. They have done it for 30 years or more. Democrats protest and complain but has it done anything to slow down the Republican shit show? Do you think, maybe, its time to start slinging crap at the Republicans?
Democrats need to act yesterday. They need to use the media like Trump does. It is not hard, especially when you have the bully pulpit and control of one branch of Congress, AND the TRUTH on your side. The MSM thrives on the sensational - give it to them!
The best way to get out the vote is to give the voter a reason to fight. The country is under attack by terrorists who are resurrecting white supremacy as their cause. Every person who is not a white evangelical threatened!! You can also add women and the LGBT community. Republicans are screaming their intentions, and all I see are people reacting in astonishment and fear. At least we have got past, 'they can't do that.' People are finally starting to understand that maybe they can. Democrats have wasted too much time. The 2024 campaign began January 6th 2021. Republicans knew that and every day since them they have tried to rewrite history. Democrats should have been making sure nobody forget that infamous day when a political party tried to overthrow the government in a coup.
The Justice Department should rain down indictments on any Republican that may have colluded to overturn the election. The Senate should investigate with hearings every aspect of the insurrection and the involvement of members of Congress. Benghazi the hell out of every Republican. It's all for show and to remind every American of what is at stake and who is threatening the Republic. Forget about having every duck in a row, every t crossed or i dotted. None of this will ever get to trial before the election, but it will show the country and the world, that Democrats are in charge and will protect and preserve the United States of America. Start by charging Abbot and his corrupt AG with sedition and any other charge they think might stick! The media will eat that up from now until the election. If Garland won't do it, replace him with Kamala, ASAP. Time is a wasting. We have a country to save!!!
Yes, yes, yes. A successful person learns from his/her competition. We need to blast these liars - it's not hard to do. We have little things like facts - evidence. We have sooo much ammunition and we don't use it.
There must be dozens of Biden supporting rich people who would fund a serious effort to discredit the liars. Unleash them!
We are just where Germany was in the early 1930's. Fascism will be our fate. Unless we crush it with the truth.
I see video of Trump rounding up thousands of people and loading them into army trucks - women screaming, kids crying. And the tag line: "Is this the America you want?"
On a positive track, it ought to be made clear that America is desperately short of workers. Rounding up the people who grow and harvest and process our food is the definition of insanity. We NEED immigrants! Unless you think your teenager should skip college and pick strawberries and lettuce.
Yes, I absolutely agree! Merrick Garland has been a huge disappointment, letting all this time slip by, with tfg still running free with barely a slap on the wrist for his involvement 1/6, etc. I watched that whole horrific event and tfg should have been jailed by now for triggering that fiasco.. Garland getting a pass a couple years ago for "making sure the case against tfg is airtight" has now run out of time. The MSM media barely even raises an eyebrow at tfg's antics. And now he has just won the Iowa caucuses and will steamroll to being the R's nominee for President!! I am so outraged and terrified that he is even a contender for the presidency.. If the Biden and Democratic party doesn't launch a powerful campaign NOW, I dread to think what the future holds for this country.
Thanks Sunni. That fiasco was an attempted coup that came very close to succeeding. The Democratic campaign for 2024 began that day. I give Biden his due, but he has tried to move on while the Republicans have been busy rewriting history. We can't move on until Republicans are held accountable for their treasonous actions that day.
Sunni, do not be terrified or scared. You are a patriotic American who loves this country. For your sake and for the sake of all those who have given their lives to protect and preserve this country, stand tall and push back and make these people know you are outraged at their behavior. Own the magats; don't allow them to own you.
Or get the vote out like it’s our only hope, because it likely is. Take the House, end the "Freedom" Caucus madness. Take the Senate decisively, Manchin-free. Win the presidency again. Pass legislation protecting voting rights, reforming immigration, supporting our allies, opposing tyranny. Seal Trump’s fate as the (you fill in the blank).
The fact that Scalise is receiving stem cell treatment for his cancer is obscene. Had that "pro life" ass been a rep during W's time, he surely would have voted against funding and allowing stem cell research.
That he now uses such science to try and prolong his miserable life is the height of hypocrisy. I couldn't be less surprised.
It is impossible to be a Republican and not be a hypocrite. They contradict themselves all the time. When caught they lie. When caught in the lie they lie about the lie. The pusillanimous MSM who sold out to the wealthy let them get away with it. We shouldn't. Never forget!
Thank you Heather, I cannot imagine how the world looks at us. Misinformation leading faulty perceptions as Robert Hubbell pointed out the real data on the border. Where Biden has been much stricter than Trump. The border need funding and wisdom. You did not mention Trumps criticism of Abraham Lincoln not negotiating a deal with the South. I am sure that does not surprise anyone. The ridiculous to the inane! No wonder the world is looking at us and trembling!
At what point will MAGA GOP Extremists be called out as enemies of the state ... as a domestic threat... by President Biden, who is sworn to defend America from such threats?
I know we’ve got Trump threatening to lock up Democrats, but America’s standing in the world is about to be wrecked in ways that play right into Putin’s hands. I don’t know what the remedy is when an internal threat such as this exists. 🤷🏼♂️ But it occurs to me that it’s time for people with much more knowledge about Biden’s options than me to do something! Isn’t this why we have a Department of Homeland Security?
President Biden could start by federalizing the National Guard to take over border-land security from "Texas troops," and he also could order Abbott and the troop commanders arrested for insurrection for kicking the Border Patrol out of border areas. And he should. He won't, because Democrats are chickens, but he should.
Thank you. I’m reminded that President Eisenhower sent troops to enforce the integration of at least one school despite the governor of that state being against racial integration.
Not to mention Kennedy and Johnson federalizing both the Mississippi and Alabama National Guard when Ross Barnett and George Wallace tried to "stand in the schoolhouse door."
That is why there is so much anti Federal Government sentiment there, and so much insistence on States Rights. They have been behaving like rebellious teenagers since 1865.
I hear and share your anger, however, he is walking that fine line of maintaining a democracy and an autocracy. If he takes the strongest actions, he is a dictator. It is a difficult place to be in. He tries to play by the rules, the other side does not.
The root cause is white supremacy. Apparently, it sounds too horrible for people to wrap their heads around. But, if you live in the south, you know these people have never stopped fighting the Civil War. They call it the War of Northern Aggression and they are as bitter today as their ancestors were after they lost the war and the carpetbaggers came through to reap the spoils. It takes nothing to scratch the surface and reveal their hatred of black people and people of color. I remember their less than subtle hint that if Obama becomes president, he will be assassinated in office. Check the historical record of how many threats were made when Obama was in office. Allowing this to fester and not be addressed led directly to elevating tRump as the leader of a cult of white supremacy. At least one in three Americans are certifiable racists to their core.
You're right, the key to winning elections is to keep the base angry and stupid or in other words ignorant of the truth. These people are the biggest losers you'll ever meet. They blame their entire misspent life on every one else.
The Republican obstruction in the House I doubt will lose them any voters. Right wingers continue to listen and agree with anything negative about Democrats and believe it's the Democrats who are being obstructive. smh
What pathetic figures, Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton. They allow a woman and her two children to die while migrating across the Rio Grand to seek a better life for themselves. Real machismo, those two.
"a shutdown would hurt the Republicans’ image even more." Only with those who read the NY Times, WA Post, AP, MSNBC, etc.. The FOXers will think it is glorious... for awhile.
Proof: A majority of voters today in Iowa think Biden was not lawfully elected. You could tell these GOP acolytes that The Grinch stole the ballot boxes and they would start searching for Whoville to call in a SWAT.
Abbott's games in Texas with the New Confederacy are the same as the Old Confederacy firing on Fort Sumter. Why has Biden not nationalized the Texas National Guard? Kenney and Johnson had no trouble doing so when they were dealing with Unreconscructed Southern Traitors like Ross Barnett in Mississippi and George Wallace in Alabama standing in the schoolhouse door. Has too much of America been "southernized" in the past 40 years?
Maybe a few million of us should write Biden and ask him, why. If Biden won't do it, then at least get his surrogates to start making waves. Stir the pot, before there is nothing left to boil.
Despicable to trade in immigrant human lives like a deranged pied piper.
Ukraine deserves absolute bipartisan support. Taiwan and Israel, too. Israel with some degree of pressure.
And speaking of proper immigration, anyone know how this ended up going?(from Politico):
“While Melania Trump and her husband, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, have said she came to the United States legally, her own statements suggest she first came to the country on a short-term visa that would not have authorized her to work as a model. Trump has also said she came to New York in 1996, but the nude photo shoot places her in the United States in 1995, as does a biography published in February by Slovenian journalists.”
She was a sex worker he purchased. She was trafficked as a sex worker to here. The psychopath purchased her from the traffickers as a sex/reproductive slave. Her behavior supports this.
Republicans have no agenda other than supreme power. The white supremacists have their cause and their champion to lead them. Nothing else matters! If you are not a racist, you're out. Trump is only the president for a minority of the country that subscribe to racism, bigotry and xenophobia. If the Democrats don't find a way to undermine the right wing extremists (no way should they be called justices) on the Supreme Court, the coming election will not matter.
You have a valid point. Yes , it is true that the minority are mega extremist and are racists. I agree with your statement about the Supreme Court . However, the majority of us in this country believe in Democracy. Now isn't the time to throw in the towel and give up. We have to be vigilant and make sure people turn up to vote.
This election will determine whether we have an dictator running this country for life or a leader who believes in Democracy. With hope and faith anything is possible.
Does anyone really understand what will happen if a Republican takes the White House in 2024? Better question for the MAGAextremist, does anyone care what the nation and democracy will be like in that case? Think, people, know and understand.... and then get out the vote! Save America!
They think because they're good Christian white folk, the bad stuff will not happen to them. That's the same thing the German upper class thought about the Nazis.
The French do. They're aghast, and incredulous, that a known immoral and amoral uncultivated crook should "win" anything at all, let alone become head of state, and wondering what "the Americans" have got in their heads.
I've just seen the "and God gave us Trump" video. It surpasses the one he gave to Little Rocket Man, showing them standing together at the dawn of a new world order. It's so sickening that it's hard to find anything funny about it - mainly because of the realisation that there are thousands of people whose hearts will throb as they watch it.
It's the job of Biden and the Democrats now to explain to the American people why diplomacy, immigration policy, and relations with other countries matter, outside of the matter of how immigrants are treated and permitted or restricted once in our country. By the way, I'm not talking about fantasies about the rule based order that we are now violating by giving Israel carte blanche to carry out crimes against humanity in Gaza, or pretending that what the Houthis are doing has nothing to do with Gaza. Rather, Americans need to understand that our international cooperation affects things like movement on climate and the needs of desperate populations, who will then inundate us and the other countries we need to remain stable for our economy to continue. They need to understand that when we educate people to become engineers scientists it's not in our interest to throw them out afterward, and quite a few more things I probably don't even know about. The fantasy of the gated community and the gated country, like bomb shelter fantasies when I was growing up, the whole individual survivalist ethos with its denial of vulnerability and interdependence, is actually also a denial of the huge power America has and the consequences of whether we are a force for cooperation to deal with global warming or a driver of precarity, famine, and ultimately destruction of the earth (warming or nuclear, one nuclear conflict and we would all be doomed to nuclear winter). Young people are frightened by the world we've created. Those who don't hide in the evangelical world of rapture/survival for the few, need to hear from our leaders that they care about what happens to the not rich, the regular people who need child care, health care, and a commons they can rely on in contrast to the survivalist fantasies the majority reject.
[[Texas governor Greg Abbott today insisted that the migrants were already dead when his troops stopped the Border Patrol from helping, although that claim does not address the fact that the Texas troops had blocked the Border Patrol’s normal surveillance of the river and had assumed responsibility for it. Abbott tried to argue that the deaths were not his fault but rather Biden’s because, he said, Biden’s policies encouraged migrants to attempt the crossing.]]
Abbott and his troop commanders need to be charged with involuntary manslaughter, at the least. They knew damn good and well that people would die as a result of their actions and Abbott had made it abundantly clear that he didn't care. Also, President Biden should federalize the Texas National Guard and order Abbott and the state troops' commanders arrested on charges of insurrection. This revolt is as bad as Fort Sumter -- in fact, because it has a body count and Fort Sumter didn't, it's worse.
The GQP doesn't have an issue with stepping over dead bodies to hang onto power. I thought when kindergarten babies were sprayed with bullets that would be the cure. Then I thought watching their loved ones die of Covid would do it. But, no. Death is just collateral damage for their cause. As in their forced birth movement and daily mass shootings. We are chattel to them. They really don't give two shits about voters. Project 2025 or The Chattel Project of 2025 as I call it, details how the rich will get richer and the rest of us can go to hell.
This isn't just about owing liberals. It's about owning us.
You've said a mouthful Lisa59.
The GOP has a mounting death count on their hands.
But "power" is more important to them than "people."
Total domination.
Yes, at any cost.
"Total domination" and total damnation. Damn them!
JL, and “Dominion”, as in the far right theocracy movement. We humans are a weird bunch indeed.
President Biden has a mounting death count on his hands, because of his support for the regime that commits ongoing carnage in Gaza:
https://time.com/6331133/israel-gaza-biden-military-support/
Why and how is anything that happens in GAZA Biden's fault? This is totally on the Israeli patriarchy for being unprepared for Hamas and Hezbollah and for ignoring warnings about an imminent attack which was put together by Israeli women, so of course, they were ignored. The Jews have always been a patriarchal society. Read the Torah and you can see it.
Netanyahu hasn't lifted a finger to help Ukraine, but yet we have done what we should do when an ally is attacked -- provide support.
Why are you dismissing the fact that hundreds of Israeli women were raped and killed on or about October 7th, by Hamas?
Are you also against attacking the Houthi's in the Red Sea and Yemen?
I blame it all on religion, religious beliefs and dogma. Religion, it appears, is a source of extreme hate instead of brotherly love. I find that the most charitable of people to be among the Liberal Atheists who actually care for the well being of their fellow cohabitants of this planet, including the creatures whose habitats we are destroying.
Richard, I tend to agree. I do believe if it were up to Netanyahu he would obliterate anyone different from him and his beliefs. Religion and the inability to tolerate differences continues to cause wars, chaos. Murder. I could go on. Signed - liberal atheist. Nature is my church and being kind is my religion…
Richard, I don't need an imaginary sky pilot to tell me how do behave, nor do I need some guy who tells me he has a direct pipeline to said sky pilot and I need to give money to help further the sky pilot's wishes.
I am a non-theist, I believe that religion is a futile attempt to understand the unexplainable and was created by men, and that if there is a supreme being, then they are too big for one religion.
Richard, I am reading a book called Why the Bible Began which is an examination of the time and milieu in which the OT was written. There are plenty of verses in there which are counter to how the Israelis have and are now behaving even though they had to respond to that attack. I blame religious fundamentalists and far right pols. I also blame some kind of hubris and maybe misogyny for the top brass not paying attention to what the women who were eyes along the border reported. Not all atheists are kind unfortunately, and I have had a few rounds with a couple of them because they want to paint all believers with the same brush.
It took two World Wars for European countries to stop fighting each other over territory and, yes, religion. NATO and the European Union, are saving them. But some, like Hungary, still don't understand that peace is the path to safety and greater productivity. The problem with peace is that, like democracy, it's hard work. It requires steady commitment, patience and persistence to keep the big picture in mind over time, and keep the faith no matter what.
As Christopher Hitchens said, "religion poisons everything ". I agree 100% with that statement and would only add the words "it touches" at the end.
…organized Religion.
That's a bit over the top, Gary.
Discussion of the answer to your first question is in the article I linked.
And your use of the word "dismissing" is misplaced. Palestinian civilians didn't rape and kill Israeli women, but they are being indiscriminately bombed by Israel, which can't keep it up without ongoing military support from the Biden administration. Once again, read that article I linked.
Palestinian "civilians" allowed Hamas to thrive. Palestinian "citizens" stood by and watched as money from Qatar and Iran COULD have been used for civilian infrastructure. But it was used for tunnels and rockets. The "civilians" of Palestine could end this conflict overnight by eschewing a murderous leadership that has only one mission - the destruction of a nation and the deaths of it's inhabitants.
The people of Gaza could end this today by turning over to the IDF the Hamas gangsters that use their own children as shields. Turn over the anarchist cowards who seek death for the most persecuted society in the history of modern civilization.
Where is Congress in all this? Oh yeah, handcuffed the Fweedumb Caucus
p.s. Regarding the Houthis, my assessment is that they are acting as proxies for Iran as war in the Middle East spreads like the flu in winter.
The Houthis are being used to drain American anti-air missiles as the next phase between Israel and Hezbollah warms up.
I find it odd that someone can make a pop-psychology statement about a society he’s clearly never lived in (patriarchal society) based on a set of bronze-age books.
Please don’t respond to John Schmuckele. He’s a Russian Troll. It only encourages him, and gets him a paycheck.
Money and bombs sent to the dictator Bibi
Please, people, stop replying to this person.
I believe that well mannered discussion is OK. That is what I see here.
What I see is yet another instance of this person hijacking an entire thread.
Censoring is all.
John, don't you support Conservatives though? All of them have said that they don't even support Biden sending aid to Palestine and Trump has said he would deport any Palestinian who is on a work Visa in the US? To blame a 75+ year conflict on Biden alone seems pretty naïve at best, and ignorant at worst. Biden has been pushing for a 2 state solution, and negotiated a couple humanitarian pauses, and yet Bibi and the far right government of Israel don't want peace, nor does Hamas because they refuse to stop shooting rockets and won't return all the hostages... We also do trade with China and they are committing genocide as well. There are a few other genocides going on in the world, and I don't see you blaming Biden for those? What solutions do you actually want? Nitpicking is easy, coming up with nuanced, and practical solutions is hard...
"Support conservatives"?
You seem to be deliberately missing my point.
Perhaps it is well to remember that Israeli settler extremists in the West Bank are terrorists, and therefore Israel, funding the settlers and giving them guns, is a state sponsor of terrorism.
See “France Calls West Bank Israeli Settler Violence a ‘Policy of Terror’”
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-calls-west-bank-israeli-settler-violence-policy-terror-2023-11-16/
and
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-gaza-west-bank-settler-violence-palestinians-rcna123311
and "The Rise of Settler Terrorism" (published in Foreign Affairs)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41720862
Here is my peace plan for the Middle East:
1. Israel faces an existential crisis as soon as the U.S. "aid spigot" gets cut off for whatever reason (including possible American political or economic crisis).
2. Any viable solution must enable Israel to be secure without constant infusions of American aid.
3. This requires peace with Israel’s neighbors, including Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
4. This requires undoing the Nakba terrorist atrocity and withdrawing to the U.N.-mandated pre-1948 borders.
5. This can only be done in the context of peaceful economic integration throughout the region, for the benefit of all. A lasting peace must be guaranteed individually by each permanent member of the U.N. Security council, and endorsed by Israel’s neighbors.
6. The recent Hamas atrocities were sparked by provocations (yet again) at the Dome of the Rock. The dream of rebuilding the Temple of Herod must be given up and replaced by the will to rebuild the Temple of Solomon in its correct location.
I'm not missing your point... I'm just trying to figure out what exactly your position is... You've come on this page often, and you defend conservative (US) policies and always blame Democrats for everything, and Biden in this case, but Trump didn't do anything to lessen tensions in Israel and Palestine, and even moved the US embassy. Further all the current GOP politicians who are running for office including Trump have all indicated that the humanitarian crisis would be worse with them in charge.
Regarding your point about this: "Perhaps it is well to remember that Israeli settler extremists in the West Bank are terrorists, and therefore Israel, funding the settlers and giving them guns, is a state sponsor of terrorism."
Yes the settlers in the west bank who terrorize Palestinians are terrible humans and the Biden administration has already sanctioned those individuals. You calling all of Israel a terrorist regime though, is kind of similar to you getting mad at people because they say that Palestine let Hamas be in charge. I don't see anyone on this thread, or even me who has ever defended Israeli settlers or settlements in the West Bank. I literally just talked about a two state solution.
Now regarding your other points, I do love that you are solutions oriented and I love some of your ideas. I'll respond to them below.
1 - I think the US wants this too... Most Americans are tired of funding wars and the killing of innocents across the world. There has also been a ton of evidence recently that the Biden admin has been pushing allies, the Israeli government and even other countries in the middle east to support a 2 state solution. Even the UAE has said that they'd formalize relations with Israel if there was a 2 state solution. That's big news.... I think based on the protests over the years in Israel, the majority of Israeli's are disatisfied with their governemnt and do not support the super right wings in leadership positions in government right now or their policies.
2 - Agreed...
3 - 100% agreed, but peace with your neighbors in this case can only exist if Iran cases to keep trying to develop nuclear weapons and also support terrorist groups that want to literally exterminate Israel.
4 - I don't see how that can happen, because before Nakba didn't like 7 countries try to wage war on Israel and exterminate them? We can't undo what has already been done. I also don't see any reality where we can force Israel without force to redo their existing borders.
5 - I agree, I think you'll also need China and Russia to agree with that. Good luck with that.
6 - I think most Hamas members don't care about the Dome of the Rock or anything but killing. But even so, maybe you are right. It still doesn't excuse terrorism.
Troll elsewhere.
One more.
Palestinians seem to me to be pawns in Iran's jihad against Israel and her allies...especially the US. Iran is supporting terrorist groups with money and weapons. But somehow The Biden administration which has worked furiously behind the scenes to get aid to the Palestinians and moderate Israel's response is responsible for the deaths in Palestine. Biden is an easy target I guess. Israel is an ally, a sovereign nation and surrounded by enemies who have vowed to destroy her. The US should withhold aid to Israel now? I am wary of armchair quarterbacks with no skin in the game.
Lucy Buxton,
The modern state of Israel was founded on an extended terrorist atrocity known as the Nakba.
Perhaps it is well to remember that Israeli settler extremists in the West Bank are terrorists, and therefore Israel, funding the settlers and giving them guns, is a state sponsor of terrorism.
See “France Calls West Bank Israeli Settler Violence a ‘Policy of Terror’”
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-calls-west-bank-israeli-settler-violence-policy-terror-2023-11-16/
and
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-gaza-west-bank-settler-violence-palestinians-rcna123311
and "The Rise of Settler Terrorism" (published in Foreign Affairs)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41720862
p.s. Joe Biden is the biggest recipient of campaign money from Zionist groups:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/i-am-zionist-how-joe-bidens-lifelong-bond-with-israel-shapes-war-policy-2023-10-21/#:~:text=During%20his%2036%20years%20in,to%20the%20Open%20Secrets%20database.
p.s. Joe Biden is the biggest recipient of campaign money from Zionist groups:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/i-am-zionist-how-joe-bidens-lifelong-bond-with-israel-shapes-war-policy-2023-10-21/#:~:text=During%20his%2036%20years%20in,to%20the%20Open%20Secrets%20database.
Especially when those "people" aren't potential Republican voters, i.e., white USians -- and often even when they are.
Trump urged people to go vote no matter the weather conditions without saying a word re peoples personal safety voting for him was more important than well being
It's about malignant narcissism and absolute power. It's evil.
People should read what defines a malignant narcissist. It explains everything. Narcissists are the worst abusers on the planet.
I think we all are obliged to pursue self-interest of necessity, and I think there is some touch of narcissism in most or all of us; but that it's also integrated and balanced by other values and motives for a civilized person. When self-centeredness, as individuals or groups, pushes every other consideration out of the nest, and other people and things become objects to be personally manipulated or destroyed, I think it is identical to "evil". The root of all evil perhaps. We as a society need to examine how it functions a great deal more closely
Absolutely we all have a bit of narcissism. Most mental health professionals do not have a complete understanding of Narcissist Personality Disorder. They always said it came from trauma. But that's not always the case. I know that for a fact. Less than 1% are actually diagnosed. They are verbally and emotionally abusive until it turns physical. Our Domestic Abuse shelters are filled with their victims. We are surrounded by them. Over 60 million suffer in silence.
We need to talk about how they dominate the narrative. I know a young man who was considering suicide as an option because he feels so devalued by his narcissist wife. Another one who's husband is so verbally and emotionally abusive she finally left him. But now struggles with suicide ideation.
We have too many politicians that don't care who they abuse to secure their own employment. I fear Billionaires like Leo and Harlan Crow. They are dangerous and toxic.
"I know a young man who was considering suicide as an option because he feels so devalued by his narcissist wife"
Hmmmm.......he needs a good friend to tell him to dump his wife and move on. A couple of years after she is gone he will be back to whatever was normal for him (assuming he was not suicidal before the wife came in the picture).
Why punish one's own self as a response to abuse by another person?
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy."
Lincoln was confronting literal slavery, a patent crime against humanity and the very thing the founders found repugnant in monarchy. We on on dangerous ground when we attempt to dominate
To some degree, we are all the stars of our own show, but most of us recognize others have lives/feelings/desires as well. Narcissists think they are the stars of their own show and everyone else's too. Maintaining that fantasy takes tremendous psychic energy, and a typical narcissist has to maintain this with limited emotional maturity and resources. To them, every challenge, no matter how small, is an existential threat. Most become manipulative and abusive to maintain the fallacy that they are the center of everyone's universe. I have worked with 2 such people in my career, and it was some of the most painful times of my life. Not because of the constant abuse, though that was painful, but because of what I was becoming in order to function in such a dysfunctional situation. One thing about narcissists, once you know what buttons to push, they are fairly easy to manipulate. Doing this, however, can make you complicit in their abuse of others. I had to leave both jobs to avoid this.
MAGA is led by a narcissist who is surrounded by manipulators, hostages, and other victims. The other thing I learned about narcissists, they grow worse over time unless they are stopped by those around them. This is the reality we are dealing with now. There is no person or group on the right who is willing/able to challenge this deep dysfunction. It is up to us.
We also need to realize, acutely, that political leaders like Trump, or Hitler, had huge populations ready to adore them like no other, aided and abetted of course, by well oiled political machinery.... the kind of machinery, mind you, the Dems need to pull of a victory in 2024.
Steve, yes…that moment when it becomes clear that sour-dread-this-is-not-who-I-am feeling in the pit of your stomach is from reacting/responding to “keep up” in the interpersonal dynamic. It’s important to know when to walk (or run!) away.
I agree that there is
a touch of narcissism in all of us , but I think our winner takes all economic system and the crass consumerism that is so pervasive in American society encourages it, almost demands it if you want to survive or avoid homelessness.
"American society encourages it, almost demands it if you want to survive or avoid homelessness"
I thought about this for a long time before posting Tracy. I left an East Texas farm where we had (very little) but hard work. I left because of the zero money lifestyle.
When I arrived at college I heavily prioritized study over friends, girlfriends, etc., and then, having made some friends in spite of not prioritizing them, I moved on to grad school and just left them all behind. I was only thinking about my continued movement away from the "no money" life.
In grad school, again, I prioritized the PhD and the work.
Finally, I graduated and went to work and focused heavily on career. Still, people did not matter.
BUT, I did mange to acquire a wife as part of my walk. When my kids were born (twins), I suddenly awakened from my self focus. My kids were so awesome I shifted my focus to them.
I had so much fun with my little kids and then my teenage kids and now my adult kids that THEY taught me how to value people because, THEY do.
Now, I cannot say I am an extrovert. But, I can say I think about the needs of the few friends I have collected. I carefully try not to focus on myself.
BUT, when I was young? It was all about me getting off the farm. And staying off.
So, I agree with you. America sort of pushes folks who are not born rich into self focus.
BUT, that does not explain TRUMP. He inherited $570 million dollars of assets in 1973 or so. Big money.
So, what caused his self focus which continues today? I don't know.
Just a nasty dude.
Yes, I recall reading an article which argued that most corporate leadership is inhabited with "sociopaths". From my casual reading of the historical past, I'd say that applies throughout. I'm not sure these words best describe human leadership. One theme, eg argued by Stalin during his confidential asides with various WW2 commanders was, you had to "tough" to succeed at running a state. Of course, that was Stalin, and this was a state of desperate war. Little wandering here?
"I recall reading an article which argued that most corporate leadership is inhabited with "sociopaths".
The above sentence was absolutely my experience in three big corporations. The dictatorial, all white male setup breeds sickness.
And? Since essentially ALL of the management was and remains white and male, the MOST important skill that those managers must develop and utilize is crawling on their knees when they are with their own manager.
Picture a line of grown, white men, on their knees, all of them aggressively kissing the arse of the white male manager above them and you have a very clear picture of the most prodigious activity in a modern American corporation.
Arse kissing. All day. Every day.
When I was a small town cop (contract deputy for a city of about 5K) we had some interesting small-town politics going on, and a couple of city councilors that were really out of step. It was during one of these small town "tempest in a teapot" situations that one of the city employees did a little digging, and found an article that said that a lot of sociopathic tendencies were found in elected officials. They read me one paragraph that described one of these counselor's to a "T". I found that fascinating.
And malignant narcissists are the ones who drool over becoming adored leaders of cults. Watch How to Become a Cult Leader on Netflix. This rise in narcissism is a sure negative by-product of social media. Turn it off.
Pensa, oh great….now they have “how to” vid!? /s
Yes, it is a tongue in cheek, but very accurate for those of us who study cults. It might demonstrate to the wannabe leaders, but it also teaches those who are vulnerable how to discern when they are being gaslighted and to be mindful instead of min-controlled and manipulated. We need to teach critical thinking skills and how to deal with bullies and liars in kindergarten to create a better country.
Excellent point. Not sure of the percentage of cult leaders/narcissism… it’s up there.
"Specific factors in cult behaviour are said to include manipulative and authoritarian mind control over members, communal and totalistic organization, aggressive proselytizing, systematic programs of indoctrination, and perpetuation in middle-class communities. Are all cult leaders narcissists? Probably not, but the percentage of cult leaders who aren’t narcissistic is probably ultimately pretty small. If you’re wondering if a certain group or organization is a cult or cultlike, take a look at its leader — does he or she exhibit any of the telltale signs of the narcissist? If so: run the other way, and fast. Nobody intentionally joins a cult — but many get entrapped by cults due to the cunning and charm of their narcissistic leaders." Thank God the first time I heard trump speak I was completely repulsed. I knew my emotional and critical thinking skills were completely intact. But others not so intact fall for creatures like him. The only way out is take him away and allow de-programming to happen. Ginni Thomas is a perfect example of a person completely vulnerable to cult personalities. And she is dangerous as someone married to a corrupted Supreme Court Justice.
I had to scroll a long way to get away from his comments. I can't waste my time. He is taking up way to much oxygen on Letters from an American.
“Collateral damage” is, perhaps, the worst sanitizing euphemism of all time. Dead, dismembered, traumatized, grieving, homeless, helpless innocents. That’s who we’re talking about.
Are you talking about what Putin is doing to the Ukrainians and has been doing to the Ukrainians and millions of his own people for years?
"Collateral damage" has occurred on both sides in the October 7th war.
I’m talking about war…and being honest about what happens in war.
What kinds of actions or situations might make the supporters of Trump and Mike Johnson-types turn against them? Church sins, especially sexual? Illegal acts than result in court convictions? Votes or non-votes that result in cutoffs of Social Security payments? What?
Remember Waco and Jonestown? The limbic connection is so strong they are often willing to die. Logic doesn’t have any influence.
https://freedomofmind.com/
only the logic stemming from the cult leader and his core constituency. It's definitely a potent social bond.
Sorry Frank, I don’t think I would call that logic 😁🤷🏻♀️
lol, "emotional logic" ? :)
Almost.... nothing... the Evangelicals have learned to "love the sinner" for the sake of the cause... it's a wowser
My boil blood boils when I hear this sentiment spoken, especially by seemingly smart people. Do you people even think about or listen to the words that come out of their mouths?
I'm not supporting the sentiment, Marj, just reporting what I've been hearing for quite a while. Evangelicals' support is based on sex, reproduction and getting religion back into the schools... etc. Mind you, there are evangelicals who do NOT support Trump.
Of course! I have a typo in my statement - I wrote 'Do _you_ people even think about or listen to the words that come out of their mouths?' and did not intend the 'you' to be included!
I tried to edit my comment. I thought if I clicked on the 3 little dots an edit option would open. Not so.
That is the million dollar question. They keep moving goal posts. I've seen his supporters not flinch an eye at his abuses and the become outraged because he called DeSantis names. Sadly, his abuses may be normal in their own lives. My experience has been they live in their bubbles. I had to explain what white privilege is to a number them. They don't get it. They don't want to get it. Their own bigotry usually shows its ugly face. Bigotry is alive and thriving. Victimization is a useful tool for them. Like a big one.
Try explaining white male privilege to them. Their well thought out response is usually "Nuh Uh".
That’s their reaction bc you are expecting them to see the error in something that they wholeheartedly believe should be the way of the world.
What you expect them to see as wrong is exactly what they are fighting so strongly against logic to preserve.
The rest of this comment is about what all of us need to do instead of lamenting how awful things are.
As a country, we MUST convict Trump, vote against all MAGA every where we can, & force the MAGA hand to decide if they will really provoke a civil war/revolution.
We don’t want a war, but we can’t back down in holding people accountable to the law out of fear of war. They win, if we back down, bc we settle for their immorality & lawlessness.
I just wish I knew how to prepare for a war so that I could stand a fighting chance.
This is important bc
reading today’s comments made me realize that my own mother would turn me in to MAGA police out of self preservation.
She has to in order to maintain her sanity by putting away from herself the realities of her complicity to the GOP atrocities.
Think of the girls in the Salem witch trials as depicted in The Crucible, & Mayella Ewell after being caught kissing Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird.
We will be accused of “crimes” for speaking out, being an activist, a counselor, a teacher, an “other.”
This will happen to many of us if we lose the next election.
Patriarchy provides even the women & poor with a superiority, even if not the “moral superiority” they thought they had.
They might take second & third place to the wealthiest, but it’s still better than __. Fill in the blank with all the propaganda they’re consuming each day.
Again, my mom has been on soc security since 1992, when her husband died.
Her beliefs in the patriarchy are why such an “independent” woman of the ‘60’s left her job as soon as she got married.
Why she gave in to every argument w/ her husband, no matter how sound her reasoning.
Why she had 7 children, even though she emotionally, mentally, & physically couldn’t manage us all.
Her beliefs keep her voting against herself, despite all 6 of her remaining children (2 republicans, even) telling her that she should vote differently.
She has to keep voting her way bc sh sees it as her duty as the matriarch of the patriarchy.
We are just her children & can be sacrificed, but prayed for, to maintain the system as she understands it.
So…
Democrats need to canvass for votes all year long to ensure a victory in Nov.
Can’t walk? Make calls & send postcards. Seriously.
There are voting lists we use to prevent having to deal with conflicts with the republicans. Of course there are a few we come across bc they are duplicitous in primaries.
But getting out & reminding people of the Biden successes, of how to access ballots & of deadlines is key to winning.
I get the deer in the headlights look.
Craig, I wonder that same thing every day. I think they're blind to Trump's faults, because to acknowledge them would bring their own faults to light.
Brainwashing does not allow logic in.
Pensa, brainwashing it is! I've read stories of how hard brainwashing is to be removed from people's brains.
Yes, deprogramming can take a long time does not always work. Some of Charles Manson's female cult followers went to jail for decades and to this day still believe he is their supreme commander. I cannot even imagine. However, some of the fake-tanned Inmate # P01135809's followers who participated in the J6 violent insurrection were in jail for a much shorter time periods and healthily exclaimed when they were released, how shocked they were that they believed the demented orange bloviator's lies to them. They are our most powerful weapon for working with the wake-able magas. Some who are just plain racist, kkk, dominant-male types won't budge since it is who they identify with as weak males in our society.
I predict when the republicans “reform” social security and all elderly affected people have less, they will clamor for MORE and blame the dems. I believe we live in the Twilight Zone.
Marilyn, or Superman’s Bizarro World
I am not sure there is anything.
Well - church sins and illegal acts havent seemed to wake anyone up yet.
One action that would turn their heads is if they embraced multicultural America and denounced white supremacy. Stopping the cruelty would also work. Poof-most of them would turn away from the Republicans
There are none so deaf as they who will not hear. Who said that? A leads to B leads to C in our game of chess, but the opponent lost interest at B and has no interest in the rules unless Large Mouth Ass is declared winner.
Nothing. It is who they are and too many people refuse to accept this reality.
Yes. And I live and teach in Texas. The dedication to misinformation or just ignorance is horrifying.
Jennifer you have important and difficult work. Thank you for your dedication as a teacher.
Our children are our hope. I’m glad your students have you.
We The People need to think long and hard about what can do about this horrific situation.It is only going to get worse.”Owning the libs” is one thing but allowing innocent deaths of fellow human beings is quite another. Abbot’s cruelty is unconscionable.How much more death and destruction will happen before next November ?If Republicans control us, we are doomed.
This is exactly what fascism looks and smells like. Immigrants are nothing but "vermin" to republicans....as are women with rights. They will be coming for all of us if we do not reverse this march against democracy. VOTE LIKE YOUR LIVES DEPEND UPON IT—BECAUSE THEY DO!
As Beau of the Fifth Column frequently states (and this should be repeated by all of us, over and over and over and over):
Republicans don't want to REPRESENT you, they want to RULE you.
EDIT: my goodness, I only got down about a dozen comments and all the crap starts again. I located my post to add this edit. I swear, there are factions of crazy that are taking over what used to be dignified discussions over disagreements.
Russian propaganda infiltrates all social media.
I've said that same thing for years. Rule not govern. They will change the Constitution to say one thing. The right to own. That is what A.L.E.C is doing right now. They are attempting to gain the 36 states needed to ratify the Constitution. They bought the Supreme Court for this purpose.
So noted, Miselle.
That was it, I'm done with comments for the day.
It is amazing how many people seem to know EXACTLY what is going on in the heads of all the leaders of state, of other countries and of the outside operators. They should be right there in the Oval office with the entire cabinet. Short of that,
I wish they'd give me the lottery numbers.
Have a good day, Ally.
You too, Miselle.
Indeed Lisa, They are only concerned about fetuses because that gets them votes from the anti-abortion folks. Otherwise, death is fine.....children, people in all sorts of public places, pandemics. The name Chattel Project certainly fits. Power and money. When I post Heather's letters to Facebook, I always end with vote D. Amazing that a large percentage of Rs in Iowa think it is OK to vote for a traitor, an insurrectionist, a criminal, and who is now more and more senile.
When I went to the bank last week (because I got phished by a fake Amazon account). The teller was a young college student. We had a discussion about why it's important to vote Blue. I look for opportunities every where I go to bring up this conversation. While hoping I don't get shot doing it.
Lisa59, you hit on something important. Thank you for reminding me, us!
It is up to us to practice what we know to be true.
And do so everyday, at the grocery store, in line at the check out counter, at the gas station, and …
Quoting Joyce Vance: We’re in this together.
Lisa, I hear you and good for you. Death star continues to stir the pot and too many wing nuts have all kinds of guns.
This is a powerful and prophetic indictment
Yes, agree. Powerful and prophetic: words that speak the unspeakable depths of the horror of what we the people have become.
And don't forget dying mothers not being medically treated for miscarrying. What ever happened to the Hippocratic Oath?
I trust the medical community like I trust the Sacklers. Not much.
Please, Lisa! We are being hamstrung, threatened, sued and gunned down in hospitals and clinics. We all did what we could do during Covid, and now being lumped in with killers?? What do I tell my med students?
Wear bullet proof vests? Even here in blue Massachusetts we get advice about active shooter drills.
That is so grieving on too many levels. This is trauma. Both parties have failed us on gun control. What in fuck is it going to take to stop this? I don't know what you can tell them. Cover their ass sounds trite. Tell them everyday how valuable they are and we literally could not survive without them. It is heart crushing that this country has normalized violence. That says, to me...a big fuck you from our politicians. Suck it up. Too damn bad. Get over it. Heavy sigh.
"The Chattel Project of 2025". Exactly.
Very well stated.
You know them well. And the cult fools will learn too late…
Lisa59, Beverly Falls, in plain English you're absolutely right. I would add to what you said, but you've said it all. Federal law has been violated by the Texas state governor.
Abbott is a coward. He boasts that " we are doing everything but shoot them" and then when people die he blames others for his actions. What a sorry state Texas is in.
What and ugly thing the once "Party of Lincoln" has become.
That ended over a century ago
Yes, but not like this.
I will drive whatever miles are necessary not to ever drive in Texas.The US is cursed having that state within its borders.
I made that decision - to never go to or through Texas again - in 1963. I’ve stuck to that decision.
I just listened to Rob Reiner's podcast series on the JFK assassignation. The answer is so much worse than we thought. I highly recommend listening to it all.
Wow.
I would be curious about WHY you made that decision if you are willing to share.
I suspect it's because of what happened in Dallas in '63.
On the empathy and social justice scale it should be smaller than Rhode Island.
There is a pretty big natural gas pipeline between Texas and the Northeast.
Without that it would be very cold in many, many homes in the northeast.
So, there is a big problem. America needs Texas. But, Texas does not feel it needs America.
Mike S, until it does. Texan Gerrymanders are little bullies strutting their “power” of fuel like a Putin. Shut off the pipeline? Wait what? No money to Big Oil? Who’s gonna yell about that?
Cut off the Federal Funds that flow into Texas via the Military pipelines and NASA, watch them scream in agony and cry Victim.
Agree. Abbott facilitated the migrants’ deaths. He should be held accountable.
And why has he not been held accountable for kidnapping migrants and shipping them all over the country in a cruel act of political theater?
This ^
texas congress already acquitted him of blatant corruption charges. he's above the law. i.e. Texas has a lawless AG. what else could go wrong?
sorry, that was not about Abbot but about Paxton, who had cone up in the thread and also boils my blood.
You can't tell the players without a score card, they all kind of look the same.
Maybe Marc Elias, Democracy Docket is planning to sue?
DHS has sent a cease & desist letter. Recommend a Federal Grand Jury. ASAP. Locals have erected crosses where many others have died. ABC News published a photo of the barrier Abbott built. Note, litigation is already pending.
Just Amend the Complaint NOW! Key DHS Counsel.is Jonathan Meyer.
Thank you for this info, Bryan. I couldn’t find evidence of much of a response anywhere. This cannot be what we are as Americans.
Accurate facts are on Courts' digital dockets.
Exactly right! The DOJ supplemented it's previously filed Declaration with the 5th Circuit to clearly demonstrate the blatantly unconstitutional interference by Texas' "Military Dept." Into the Border Patrol's duties and obligations, even prior to the horrific death of three human beings
Thank you Daniel. Yes, the "Texas Military Department (TMD) 2200 W. 35th Street Austin Texas 78703 aka Camp Mary among other misused TX agencies.
Sadly, it is where Texas is.
Thanks for this update, Counselor. I'd love a federal GJ to look at this fiasco.
Like always he and his ilk blame it on Biden.
Anyone without political immunity would be.
I'm not sure the two events overlap very much, but yes, there is an echo of the Civil War here that "Republican" strategists have whipped up to divide and conquer. Abbott must somehow be held accountable.
Remember Uvalde when 'Ironsides' heavily armed troops stood by, cowering behind vehicles while kids were being massacred? No humanity, no shame for this gun loving right-to-lifer!
It was much worse than what you describe.
Well armed grown men sat in the hall right outside the closed classroom door with semi-automatic rifles WITHOUT storming the room for like 30 minutes.
Finally, after basically all the kids were dead, one guy finally opened the door (it was unlocked) and shot the guy.
Says a lot about the training these guys went through. Not much.
Says a lot about police who do not want to get massacred themselves becasue civilians have weapons of mass destruction. If police are afraid of the weaponry, that is grounds for gun control and they should be behind it.
But they aren't. They instead argue for "better" weaponry and "response vehicles".
Ally, I believe you were or are in the police force-- do they really think more is better? We cannot fill positions for police here, I would think dealing with violence with gun-toting citizens would steer people away. Or not respond quickly to stay safe. I do not blame them, but they are our first responders...
Yes, retired after 28 years full time and 7 years part time. The answers to your questions are my opinion/observations only:
Yes, they do think more is better. More staffing, more equipment, especially when it comes to that small percentage of calls that are what we used to refer to as "high pucker factor". Responding to armed subject calls are ALWAYS of that nature.
Police recruiting is down for a variety of reasons; the two that I heard most often were the danger and not having enough appropriate equipment to deal with the situations, and the "disrespect" that "most" citizens have for law enforcement. There are also the standards that potential recruits must meet, both from a physical fitness standard and from a psychological and/or educational standard. These requirements exist mostly to "weed out" unacceptable candidates early in the process, but also to ensure that the applicant can physically do the job.
The main argument for more "tactical" equipment is exactly what you cite: The violence potential from gun-toting citizens. There have been police incidents (Newhall in San Diego, where dead officers had reloaded their revolvers and, per their range training, put the spent shells in their pockets. This started the ("realistic police training" movement) and the North Hollywood bank robbery where the responding officers were completely outgunned by the bank robbers and had to resort to going to a gun shop to get rifles, which started the nationwide movement to arm street officers with semi automatic rifles.
Your last two sentences are profound. Often times the "speed" at which law enforcement responds to an incident seem slow, but there are a myriad of variables that need to be addressed as cops respond to a call; safe approach, site assessment, concern for bystanders, accurate scene assessment, adequate personnel to handle the situation and appropriate equipment. I have a ton of anecdotal information on these issues and situations, but the coffee hasn't kicked in yet to make a readable response.
There is case law out of NY that says that law enforcement does not have an implied "duty to respond" in a dangerous situation where they could be injured or killed. Radiolab has an excellent podcast on that event:
https://radiolab.org/podcast/no-special-duty
It is contrary to most law enforcement training and most law enforcement mind set, Yet there is case law that protects officers who decide to protect themselves.
Mike, their utter dereliction of duty absolutely disgusts me. I cannot speak with any knowledge about the training that Texas requires for law enforcement certification; I know that by the time I retired in 2013 (and quit researching police use of force) states in the south and south east lagged far behind what we do on the west coast.
I was working as the daytime contract deputy in my town of 5K (one each elementary, middle, and high school) when Sandy Hook occurred. I spent quite a bit of time at all the schools the following couple of weeks, but most (as you might imagine) at the elementary school. My night-time compatriot (who came on duty just as schools were dismissing for the day) talked about our tactical response plans.
Our town is 8 miles south of where our main office is; response time by other officers is, at best, 5 minutes (other deputies, officers from neighboring jurisdictions, the State Patrol). We decided that if cover couldn't get there within a couple of minutes after our arrival on scene, we would go in solo. Period, even though that was in contravention of our training. We also had 3 deputies that lived in our little town; all three were within a 3 minute response, and all of them knew of and agreed with our plan. I thankfully was never confronted with this and I was prepared to respond.
I cannot imagine being there at Uvalde and NOT going in.
Abbott may insist that the migrants were dead when his troops stopped the Border Patrol from helping, what is not clear to me is whether the Texas troops simply watched this woman and her children drown. What kind of people are they?
Hateful, bigoted, and xenophobic people.
Leonard, I hope they visit (haunt) his dreams & share with him who they were and what their dreams were.
Actually, Abbott and Paxton should be charged with the depraved-heart murder (also known as depraved- indifference murder).
I've seen that charge referred to, but as nearly as I can tell, there's no such federal statute. Is that a Texas state charge?
Not as I read the statute. You bring up an interesting point though, in that if federal agents were denied entry, they could charge under federal laws. My dive into the statute was both to figure out definitions, but also to figure out their use of force justifications.
This is the same Greg Abbott that complained last weekend that his troops couldn't just shoot migrants because they'd be charged with murder. He's trying to walk it back now, but Abbott and other Republican leaders have indicated that they think shooting people trying to enter the country, or that they can just go into Mexico and kill people. Unfortunately a lot of Republican voters simply don't care. The top issue for Republican voters in Iowa was Immigration, and they want mass deportations and they want to hurt people who they see as an "Other", it's insane that these people call themselves Christians...
But hire "migrants" to pick their vegetables.
And work in their meat-processing plants.
Lex, an act of omission is as bad as an act of commission. I dove into the Texas Statutes yesterday (or the day before). Under state law, I could find the unlawful homicide statutes were: Murder, Capital Murder, Manslaughter , and Negligent Homicide. The Murder statutes list those specific crimes for which the death penalty is authorized, and if the victim is not one of the people mentioned or the actor is not incarcerated, the death penalty does not apply. Manslaughter is defined as "reckless" and Negligent Homicide is defined as "negligent".
Reckless is defined as "knowledge of and conscious disregard" of conduct that could lead to injury or death, where Negligent is defined as where an actor "should be aware" that his conduct could lead to injury or death.
I would say that as agents of the government, the Texas "patrol" at the very least exhibited "reckless" behavior, but to my mind, the failure to act to prevent the event is a more intentional act. In my mind, I'd charge murder, but settle for a manslaughter plea.
I'd buy that as long as the plea included at least five years of active prison time guaranteed.
I didn't look into the sentencing guidelines for Texas.
I haven't either. I was just speaking hypothetically. Sorry I wasn't clear.
No worries. As a former cop/use of force expert, I am always more interested in the street level applications than the global outcome-based ones.
Lex, Abbott said that they would really like just to shoot them. This way people will die and they will lie about it and deny their culpability. I like your idea of making the those Texas troops federal and arresting Abbott and the top commanders.
Hear, hear. The letter from the federal attorney should have been a request to turn themselves in. This nonsense will continue until and unless someone steps in to stop it and the federal government is the only someone in a position to do so.
Quite so. The government toyed around with accountability after the Civil War and we still haven't recovered from that yet. It needs to be hauling these insurrectionists in and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law.
Yes,and not taking years of BS Lawyering to administer Justice.
No surprise from a Texas Republican! I would imagine they are all good Christian Evangelicals.
Evangelicals, yeah (and we should specify WHITE evangelicals), but neither good nor Christian.
They think they are!!!
Texas should just secede with no federal $$ or military protection....
I've had the same thought, but I've got friends and family in the blue islands of Houston, Galveston and Fort Worth who would suffer undeservedly if that happened, not to mention all the other blue voters in the state, of whom there are quite a few.
Aren't they suffering already?
They can move .
All the blue voters in Texas can move elsewhere? I mean, I get where the impulse to say that comes from, but from a realistic, practical standpoint, a lot of people CAN'T move out of state. They need their jobs and would have trouble finding one elsewhere, they care for sick or elderly relatives, what-have-you.
Lex, this truth makes it even more astounding to me of those who will leave behind everything, risk everything, to travel sometimes 1,000’s of miles in hopes of safety and/or a better life.
keywords "assumed responsibility for it." Period. What section of the TX Guard is this anyway? How did this coup, as I think of it, since they took over the US border, come into being? Nuts and bolts. This is practice for defying the Federal Gov't and getting away with it. DOJ will probably need a massive push to come down on Abbot and the Guards officers, but Garland should consider it urgent in view of the election in 10 months.
Ayep. He should, but he won't.
HERE’S GERMANY’S RESPONSE:
[i.e. preparing for USA to fail to fight Putin]
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/trump-victory-in-iowa-raises-alarm-in-berlin-high-time-to-prepare/ar-AA1n3oop?
I saw that.
Thank you for bringing us up to date on the actions of the Congress Critters while mainstream media is focused on the Iowa Caucus.
Basically it seems that there’s no aid to our allies until there’s an immigration package and there won’t be an immigration package through the House until there’s a Republican president. With the Republican front runner refusing to support Ukraine, Zelensky must feel very disheartened—if Biden wins reelection without Democrats winning the House and the Senate, Ukraine gets no aid, and if Trump wins, Ukraine gets no aid. No wonder our allies no longer trust the hot mess that MAGA Republicans have made of our legislature.
And without military support to Ukraine from USA, how long before US-NATO boots will be on the ground in Poland fighting back Russian troops? Oh wait, I forgot about Trump’s promise to his Master Putie, to throw-out NATO.
Exactly this. It won’t be longer than a day, is my prediction. The moment Rump reenters the White House is the moment that Putin invades Poland.
Given the rate at which Russia is losing men and materiel, he may not have enough to do the job. Attrition of our foe is something the Rs don't either understand (or maybe want); nor do they seem to subscribe to the idea that, by supplying arms to Ukraine, we are replacing ours with new stock and keeping factories running. (I'm not a fan of the Military Industrial Complex, but do acknowledge the fact that there is strength in power and power in strength.)
"Given the rate at which Russia is losing men and materiel, he may not have enough to do the job. "
Yes, and that is exactly why he will use his trump card (pardon the pun): nuclear arms. Don't forget that Putin doesn't care jack sh*t about human lives, be it Americans, Europeans or his own people. And I'm afraid that Europe is too divided to stand up against that without the US to support us...
Just what everyone wants. A third land war in Europe. Just because the US may or may not have left NATO, doesn’t mean that the rest of the European bloc will have left also.
Picture it. All of the NATO alliance on one side. The US and Russia on the other.
Yeah, no. Yet one more reason why Big Orange must lose in November.
His followers simply don't get it. They don't understand the importance of NATO and the need to provide aid to Ukraine.
Exactly! The fragile bit of peace we have hangs by a thread, and the Orange Blob would gladly destroy even that if it fits his ego.
Trump is Putin’s poodle
Not even close to being a “poodle”. trumdum is putin’s dick!
Seth, that remark reads like a trollish grunt. However, perhaps you have evidence that Trump is beholden to Putin?
Please people, stop responding to this commenter,
There must be pee tape evidence somewhere, John. The hysteria is strong with the ‘rules based international ‘order’ crowd.
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/the-rules-based-international-order
“The “rules-based international order” has allowed our planet to be dominated by an empire of extreme murderousness and depravity at the cost of nonstop bloodshed and ever-increasing tyranny.
If the “rules-based international order” has allowed all these things to happen, what kind of “rules” are we talking about exactly? And what kind of “order” do they sustain?
If this is what the “rules-based international order” looks like, would we not, perhaps, be better off without it?”
Um...
Why is your thought of Russian aggression against Poland not an absurd paranoid fantasy?
Please people, stop responding to this commenter.
Reported & Blocked✅
“................”
Chris Rey, you link to an over-the-top opinion piece from the Washington Post, which presents what appears to be a paranoid conspiracy theory.
Here is one quote from that article: "But as the world watches with horror and disgust the indiscriminate bombing of Ukraine..."
Can you (or anyone else) point to an example of Russia's "indiscriminate" bombing of Ukraine?
Good point. Russia's bombing is very discriminate, targeting playgrounds, parks, hospitals, apartment buildings, shelters, hospitals etc.
Truth.
You actually think that Russia targets those things?
I remember when yet another Ukrainian anti-missile missed its target and exploded in Poland. The Ukrainian propaganda machine, including Zelensky himself, hysterically insisted that it was a Russian missile.
Get real.
Please people, stop responding to this commenter.
Yes, tragically Trump will be carrying Putin's water, telling every area fighting for survival and independence to simply surrender to the oppressive attacker. Trump says he would "negotiate" - meaning he would back his war crime buddy/mentor and hand over Ukraine, Palestine, Gaza, any other areas of dispute to who gives him/Trump the most "praise."
Just like the GOP tells women, if you are raped, there's nothing you can do about it,
so simply lay back and "enjoy it." Then bear the rapist's baby, even if it costs you your own life.
Convince me otherwise.
Too bad we can't sue Congress Critters for dereliction of duty, or malpractice.
We could vote them out of office!!!
Tax-fraud charges?
And help them on their way out the door.
That takes too long!!!
Somebodies keep
reelecting these hate mongering baffoons
Moreover, they’re insurrectionists and should be in jail...
Or can we??
Simon Rosenberg paints a much more optimistic picture. Stick this in a browser and you should be able to read it. Or just click on the link. That should open it. (I just tested it after someone complained they couldn't open it.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/simon+rosenberg/WhctKKZPKXKPKMgdZXwgXJcqLtqQxNpbRVTGHxrJnvxJBlWPPgrbLjsZrHpnkkTHrdWshmV
I subscribe to Hopium - Simon Rosenberg. This crowd needs to check out that link. Most all the news is so disheartening it feels like there is no hope, that crazies really are in charge of the asylum and “this could be as good as it gets”. Simon is focused, looks at data and keeps on supporting candidates and getting others on board calling, donating, postcarding and most importantly believing that we shall overcome
Will check out Simon now.
As Simon says: "Biden is a good president. Tell a friend." And he reminds us that despite all the publicity the MAGAs get, Democrats have been winning elections - one after the other.
Thanks for posting this, David.
For those in despair I recommend reading Hubble and Rosenberg daily - for balance and facts.
Unable to open.
Same here. Broken link, I think. Try Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Rosenberg
Here is Simon Rosenberg's Substack: https://substack.com/@simonwdc
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com
Just go here. You'll be glad you did.
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/
Unable also.
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com
Imagine how our allies and adversaries feel about this country with the shit show in Congress.
Mary Hardt,
We will pay the price for NOT honoring and supporting Ukraine's struggle for freedom.
Although we are far from Ukraine.....I would like for each of us to remember the flight of its citizens by train, plane, foot, any available vehicle....etc. as Russia began bombing Ukraine.
Ukraine's beautiful historic buildings being broken to pieces.....as little children have been taken to Russia to "brainwash".
This was one reason for increase in US immigration ...but not only us: Poland, France. the UK and other countries received many fleeing human beings just wanting to be able to live regular lives.
There was the government in Venezuala and the economy that "tanked" and the citizens who
migrated to the US.
There are floods, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, the impossibility of an education for adults or children.....the impossibility of finding a home, food or jobs. They come to us with maybe a backpack filled with all they have.
Immigrants are human beings who see HOPE in a Democracy our forefathers have fought for ....here and all over the world. Being against helping migrants is one of the most unAmerican actions we could be a part of.
Cruelty is NO SOLUTION. Migration will not stop just as catastraphies throughout the world will not stop. Ignoring the problem.....watching as a family, children, single adults risking their lives to go through a river after walking miles and miles is such a slap in the face to persons who want to call themselves "Americans" or "Christians!"
Let me tell you another disaster will come if DT should become President again.....there will be other migrations for those who are able to leave this country.
There will be no "Build Back Better"....education will become a brainwashing device....our earth, our rivers and sky will "cry out" from neglect.
Rules and confines will be introduced that no US citizen ever imagined. Trumps picture will be required to be hung in all the churches....NO ONE ELSE IS TO BE WORSHIPED!
It breaks my heart and causes my very soul to ache at the acceptance of a human being who is using even my friends....my family....to follow in the disasterous path that lies ahead if DT is elected.
Emily Pfaff,
For Stephen Miller, it appears that cruelty towards migrants IS the objective. He and TFG seem to be supported by people who are perfectly happy to have less as long as “the other” has still less. Ezra Klein’s book “Why We’re Polarized” quotes studies in which people, given a choice between everyone getting $100, will choose getting $75 if it means that those not in their tribe get $50. Additional similar studies are cited in Erica Etelson’s book “Beyond Contempt”; I thoroughly recommend it for its field-tested recommendations on how to have civil discussions that have the potential to change minds.
That is a fascinating tidbit, Mary. Give up money so someone else can't get half of what you get? The cruelty is the point.
One of the best things a Russian has ever done was Moussorgski writing Pictures at an Exhibition. This I'm saying in support of the obsetvation that Ukraine must contain beauty to so inspire. Why destroy such a place? Tear down paradise and put up a parking lot.
Iowans are oblivious to these problems or just don’t care while they follow a cult figure.
Ukraine has been enslaved by the International Monetary Fund (where the NATO countries have voting domination), and turned into a zombie soldier against Russia. Zelensky, having publicly promised to maintain Ukraine's commitments to the IMF, CANNOT stop fighting without risking his immediate overthrow.
Meanwhile, Biden's longstanding involvement in Ukrainian corruption is sure to provide grist for the mill as the House Republicans gear up for an impeachment clown show. Know what the "other side" has to say:
https://www.rt.com/russia/590474-ukraine-biden-corruption-terrorism/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Ukraine's oppressive neo-fascist thug regime is not "democratic." In Ukraine, all the opposition parties have been suppressed after Zelensky capitulated to neo-Nazi war-mongers and reneged on his campaign promise to bring peace to the Donbass region.
A few months ago, both Zelensky and Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau applauded as the Speaker of Canada's House of Commons praised a Ukrainian who was a real-life Nazi, a member of a Nazi SS unit that committed genocide against Poles during World War II. After international condemnation, Speaker Anthony Rota quickly resigned.
When Zelensky became President, he initially moved toward fulfilling the Minsk Agreements that had "frozen" the civil war in the Donbass and outlined a pathway toward peace. But then he capitulated to the Neo-Nazis (who controlled Ukraine's Interior Ministry, in charge of the police stations) and eventually re-ignited the frozen war, precipitating the Russian invasion. We are being lied to.
In August, after U.S. Secretary of State Blinken announced more aid for Ukraine, Zelensky posted a video showing him with Ukraine's most prominent Neo-Nazi Andriy Biletsky:
https://mronline.org/2023/08/21/zelensky-holds-court-with-ukraines-most-notorious-neo-nazi/
See also "Ukraine is Brutally Repressing the Left, Criminalizing Socialist Parties, Imprisoning Activists"
https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2022/03/21/ukraine-repressing-left-criminalizing-socialist-parties/
See also "How Zelensky Made Peace with Neo-Nazis"
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
See also "How One Ukrainian Billionaire Funded Hunter Biden, President Volodymyr Zelensky, And Neo-Nazi Azov Battalion"
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
See also (from 2019) "Neo-Nazis and the Far Right Are On the March in Ukraine":
"Five years ago, Ukraine’s Maidan uprising ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, to the cheers and support of the West. Politicians and analysts in the United States and Europe not only celebrated the uprising as a triumph of democracy, but denied reports of Maidan’s ultranationalism, smearing those who warned about the dark side of the uprising as Moscow puppets and useful idiots. Freedom was on the march in Ukraine.
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
yep, they are running rings around you.
I take issue with calling the House “a bit of a laughingstock.” Way too polite. It’s a national embarrassment and a threat to the country’s well-being.
Michael you are right! Democrats need to stop with the political correctness! Call them out for what they are - TERRORISTS! It is precisely what they are and every possible effort must be made NOW to bring these terrorists to justice.
The Department of Justice has been an abysmal failure in upholding the Constitution and preserving the rule of law. Replace Garland with Kamala. She will get things done!
Democrats need to give as good as they get. Republicans modus operandi is to throw as much shit as they can hoping something sticks. They lie over and over until their cult believes it is the truth. They have done it for 30 years or more. Democrats protest and complain but has it done anything to slow down the Republican shit show? Do you think, maybe, its time to start slinging crap at the Republicans?
Democrats need to act yesterday. They need to use the media like Trump does. It is not hard, especially when you have the bully pulpit and control of one branch of Congress, AND the TRUTH on your side. The MSM thrives on the sensational - give it to them!
The best way to get out the vote is to give the voter a reason to fight. The country is under attack by terrorists who are resurrecting white supremacy as their cause. Every person who is not a white evangelical threatened!! You can also add women and the LGBT community. Republicans are screaming their intentions, and all I see are people reacting in astonishment and fear. At least we have got past, 'they can't do that.' People are finally starting to understand that maybe they can. Democrats have wasted too much time. The 2024 campaign began January 6th 2021. Republicans knew that and every day since them they have tried to rewrite history. Democrats should have been making sure nobody forget that infamous day when a political party tried to overthrow the government in a coup.
The Justice Department should rain down indictments on any Republican that may have colluded to overturn the election. The Senate should investigate with hearings every aspect of the insurrection and the involvement of members of Congress. Benghazi the hell out of every Republican. It's all for show and to remind every American of what is at stake and who is threatening the Republic. Forget about having every duck in a row, every t crossed or i dotted. None of this will ever get to trial before the election, but it will show the country and the world, that Democrats are in charge and will protect and preserve the United States of America. Start by charging Abbot and his corrupt AG with sedition and any other charge they think might stick! The media will eat that up from now until the election. If Garland won't do it, replace him with Kamala, ASAP. Time is a wasting. We have a country to save!!!
Yes, yes, yes. A successful person learns from his/her competition. We need to blast these liars - it's not hard to do. We have little things like facts - evidence. We have sooo much ammunition and we don't use it.
There must be dozens of Biden supporting rich people who would fund a serious effort to discredit the liars. Unleash them!
We are just where Germany was in the early 1930's. Fascism will be our fate. Unless we crush it with the truth.
For the naysayers, I ask what is your plan? What options are left??
Thanks Bill. Its time to sow fear into the racists. Bring it on! This isn't just an election; it's a cause.
I see video of Trump rounding up thousands of people and loading them into army trucks - women screaming, kids crying. And the tag line: "Is this the America you want?"
On a positive track, it ought to be made clear that America is desperately short of workers. Rounding up the people who grow and harvest and process our food is the definition of insanity. We NEED immigrants! Unless you think your teenager should skip college and pick strawberries and lettuce.
Yes, I absolutely agree! Merrick Garland has been a huge disappointment, letting all this time slip by, with tfg still running free with barely a slap on the wrist for his involvement 1/6, etc. I watched that whole horrific event and tfg should have been jailed by now for triggering that fiasco.. Garland getting a pass a couple years ago for "making sure the case against tfg is airtight" has now run out of time. The MSM media barely even raises an eyebrow at tfg's antics. And now he has just won the Iowa caucuses and will steamroll to being the R's nominee for President!! I am so outraged and terrified that he is even a contender for the presidency.. If the Biden and Democratic party doesn't launch a powerful campaign NOW, I dread to think what the future holds for this country.
Thanks Sunni. That fiasco was an attempted coup that came very close to succeeding. The Democratic campaign for 2024 began that day. I give Biden his due, but he has tried to move on while the Republicans have been busy rewriting history. We can't move on until Republicans are held accountable for their treasonous actions that day.
Sunni, do not be terrified or scared. You are a patriotic American who loves this country. For your sake and for the sake of all those who have given their lives to protect and preserve this country, stand tall and push back and make these people know you are outraged at their behavior. Own the magats; don't allow them to own you.
Or get the vote out like it’s our only hope, because it likely is. Take the House, end the "Freedom" Caucus madness. Take the Senate decisively, Manchin-free. Win the presidency again. Pass legislation protecting voting rights, reforming immigration, supporting our allies, opposing tyranny. Seal Trump’s fate as the (you fill in the blank).
You don't want (power) drunken clowns anywhere near the bridge of the ship of state.
I wonder in whose eyes, though. I think most Republican voters are very proud of the House for not caving in to “the libtards”.
The world's well-being.
The fact that Scalise is receiving stem cell treatment for his cancer is obscene. Had that "pro life" ass been a rep during W's time, he surely would have voted against funding and allowing stem cell research.
That he now uses such science to try and prolong his miserable life is the height of hypocrisy. I couldn't be less surprised.
Too right. Thank you for bringing up this point.
Neil, he didn’t need it until it was his survival at risk.
The GOP has a secret Hypocrisy Club where they gather on Friday’s swapping stories about “who can invent the most ludicrous act and get away with it”
The competition is fierce. (Source: Dave Fake News”
Yeah. May not be a popular view, but it’s too bad he didn’t die from those gunshots. Or maybe take getting shot as a signal to retire.
Thought the same
It is impossible to be a Republican and not be a hypocrite. They contradict themselves all the time. When caught they lie. When caught in the lie they lie about the lie. The pusillanimous MSM who sold out to the wealthy let them get away with it. We shouldn't. Never forget!
Their margins are pretty thin, what’s the likelihood of Jeffries becoming the speaker? Talk about a coup de grace!
Thank you Heather, I cannot imagine how the world looks at us. Misinformation leading faulty perceptions as Robert Hubbell pointed out the real data on the border. Where Biden has been much stricter than Trump. The border need funding and wisdom. You did not mention Trumps criticism of Abraham Lincoln not negotiating a deal with the South. I am sure that does not surprise anyone. The ridiculous to the inane! No wonder the world is looking at us and trembling!
At what point will MAGA GOP Extremists be called out as enemies of the state ... as a domestic threat... by President Biden, who is sworn to defend America from such threats?
I know we’ve got Trump threatening to lock up Democrats, but America’s standing in the world is about to be wrecked in ways that play right into Putin’s hands. I don’t know what the remedy is when an internal threat such as this exists. 🤷🏼♂️ But it occurs to me that it’s time for people with much more knowledge about Biden’s options than me to do something! Isn’t this why we have a Department of Homeland Security?
Signed,
Extremely angry 😠
President Biden could start by federalizing the National Guard to take over border-land security from "Texas troops," and he also could order Abbott and the troop commanders arrested for insurrection for kicking the Border Patrol out of border areas. And he should. He won't, because Democrats are chickens, but he should.
Thank you. I’m reminded that President Eisenhower sent troops to enforce the integration of at least one school despite the governor of that state being against racial integration.
Not to mention Kennedy and Johnson federalizing both the Mississippi and Alabama National Guard when Ross Barnett and George Wallace tried to "stand in the schoolhouse door."
And the “South” has been mad ever since.
That is why there is so much anti Federal Government sentiment there, and so much insistence on States Rights. They have been behaving like rebellious teenagers since 1865.
Yea, stark raving mad.
Thank you. I take it this is your essay about this crisis I just read? 👇👇👇
https://open.substack.com/pub/tcinla757/p/the-republican-party-is-now-officially?r=2hk55&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Yes, guilty as charged, your honor. :-)
Excellent work, thanks.
Yes and wasn’t that RFK’s idea to do that, TC?
Yes, he was ahead of his brother on this.
Thanks, that’s what I thought.
That’s a bad take.
I hear and share your anger, however, he is walking that fine line of maintaining a democracy and an autocracy. If he takes the strongest actions, he is a dictator. It is a difficult place to be in. He tries to play by the rules, the other side does not.
Actually Steve, a very large portion of the population support these radical extremists. You don't want to start a war with them.
Ignorance and a poor education system are the root causes in my view.
The root cause is white supremacy. Apparently, it sounds too horrible for people to wrap their heads around. But, if you live in the south, you know these people have never stopped fighting the Civil War. They call it the War of Northern Aggression and they are as bitter today as their ancestors were after they lost the war and the carpetbaggers came through to reap the spoils. It takes nothing to scratch the surface and reveal their hatred of black people and people of color. I remember their less than subtle hint that if Obama becomes president, he will be assassinated in office. Check the historical record of how many threats were made when Obama was in office. Allowing this to fester and not be addressed led directly to elevating tRump as the leader of a cult of white supremacy. At least one in three Americans are certifiable racists to their core.
You're right, the key to winning elections is to keep the base angry and stupid or in other words ignorant of the truth. These people are the biggest losers you'll ever meet. They blame their entire misspent life on every one else.
a comment like this is useful to help non Americans understand.
Thank you
Educatiom is always the answer, long-term. But if people are dying, short-term action is needed too.
The Republican obstruction in the House I doubt will lose them any voters. Right wingers continue to listen and agree with anything negative about Democrats and believe it's the Democrats who are being obstructive. smh
What pathetic figures, Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton. They allow a woman and her two children to die while migrating across the Rio Grand to seek a better life for themselves. Real machismo, those two.
Not to mention their interference with Kate Cox’s medical care.
Brabeck Peter G, yup, real weakness. The woman and two children were probably much stronger in goodness than them.
No doubt whatsoever.
"a shutdown would hurt the Republicans’ image even more." Only with those who read the NY Times, WA Post, AP, MSNBC, etc.. The FOXers will think it is glorious... for awhile.
Proof: A majority of voters today in Iowa think Biden was not lawfully elected. You could tell these GOP acolytes that The Grinch stole the ballot boxes and they would start searching for Whoville to call in a SWAT.
This guy was a true American visionary.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2JGUfHSsSH/?igsh=amxsdG80ZWkzbHQ0
Abbott's games in Texas with the New Confederacy are the same as the Old Confederacy firing on Fort Sumter. Why has Biden not nationalized the Texas National Guard? Kenney and Johnson had no trouble doing so when they were dealing with Unreconscructed Southern Traitors like Ross Barnett in Mississippi and George Wallace in Alabama standing in the schoolhouse door. Has too much of America been "southernized" in the past 40 years?
Southernized is un-American. But it was Reagan’s goal and has resurrected the hate that had gone underground. Money helped uncover it.
Maybe a few million of us should write Biden and ask him, why. If Biden won't do it, then at least get his surrogates to start making waves. Stir the pot, before there is nothing left to boil.
Despicable to trade in immigrant human lives like a deranged pied piper.
Ukraine deserves absolute bipartisan support. Taiwan and Israel, too. Israel with some degree of pressure.
And speaking of proper immigration, anyone know how this ended up going?(from Politico):
“While Melania Trump and her husband, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, have said she came to the United States legally, her own statements suggest she first came to the country on a short-term visa that would not have authorized her to work as a model. Trump has also said she came to New York in 1996, but the nude photo shoot places her in the United States in 1995, as does a biography published in February by Slovenian journalists.”
https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/melania-trump-immigration-donald-226648
She was a sex worker he purchased. She was trafficked as a sex worker to here. The psychopath purchased her from the traffickers as a sex/reproductive slave. Her behavior supports this.
So bad. And of course Jeffery Epstein involved:
https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-reportedly-bragged-he-introduced-trump-to-melania-2019-7
Republicans are governing for Trump and his agenda. They could care less about the people and this country.
Governor Abbott has no remorse for people of color. It doesn't matter if you were born in Texas or an migrant trying to cross the border.
I don't believe him when he said the migrants were dead. Abbott has no credibility. He has taken control of Texas and running it like a dictatorship.
Our adversaries see this the most powerful country in the world, vulnerable, and this can be dangerous.
Republicans have no agenda other than supreme power. The white supremacists have their cause and their champion to lead them. Nothing else matters! If you are not a racist, you're out. Trump is only the president for a minority of the country that subscribe to racism, bigotry and xenophobia. If the Democrats don't find a way to undermine the right wing extremists (no way should they be called justices) on the Supreme Court, the coming election will not matter.
You have a valid point. Yes , it is true that the minority are mega extremist and are racists. I agree with your statement about the Supreme Court . However, the majority of us in this country believe in Democracy. Now isn't the time to throw in the towel and give up. We have to be vigilant and make sure people turn up to vote.
This election will determine whether we have an dictator running this country for life or a leader who believes in Democracy. With hope and faith anything is possible.
Does anyone really understand what will happen if a Republican takes the White House in 2024? Better question for the MAGAextremist, does anyone care what the nation and democracy will be like in that case? Think, people, know and understand.... and then get out the vote! Save America!
They think because they're good Christian white folk, the bad stuff will not happen to them. That's the same thing the German upper class thought about the Nazis.
Like Rev. Niemöller: then the came for him.
Trump is getting weirder: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-iowa-caucuses-video-god-b2478729.html
...and the extreme wealthy who support trump believe their money makes them invincible.
The French do. They're aghast, and incredulous, that a known immoral and amoral uncultivated crook should "win" anything at all, let alone become head of state, and wondering what "the Americans" have got in their heads.
Not just the French... most Europeans and I can atest to Australians. What happens in the US impacts everyone, everywhere. Sad but true.
I've just seen the "and God gave us Trump" video. It surpasses the one he gave to Little Rocket Man, showing them standing together at the dawn of a new world order. It's so sickening that it's hard to find anything funny about it - mainly because of the realisation that there are thousands of people whose hearts will throb as they watch it.
Yes, it will be the end of Western civilization, simple as that.
We need a "Project 2025" coloring book.
A fine kettle of fish, as they say, and this republican action or lack thereof, stinks
This is just what MAGAT Repubs in Congress want--complete chaos to get 45 back in office. We are going to whip up the Blue WI vote this fall.
Just call them White Nationalist Fascists. Take away any old credibility they once had.
It's the job of Biden and the Democrats now to explain to the American people why diplomacy, immigration policy, and relations with other countries matter, outside of the matter of how immigrants are treated and permitted or restricted once in our country. By the way, I'm not talking about fantasies about the rule based order that we are now violating by giving Israel carte blanche to carry out crimes against humanity in Gaza, or pretending that what the Houthis are doing has nothing to do with Gaza. Rather, Americans need to understand that our international cooperation affects things like movement on climate and the needs of desperate populations, who will then inundate us and the other countries we need to remain stable for our economy to continue. They need to understand that when we educate people to become engineers scientists it's not in our interest to throw them out afterward, and quite a few more things I probably don't even know about. The fantasy of the gated community and the gated country, like bomb shelter fantasies when I was growing up, the whole individual survivalist ethos with its denial of vulnerability and interdependence, is actually also a denial of the huge power America has and the consequences of whether we are a force for cooperation to deal with global warming or a driver of precarity, famine, and ultimately destruction of the earth (warming or nuclear, one nuclear conflict and we would all be doomed to nuclear winter). Young people are frightened by the world we've created. Those who don't hide in the evangelical world of rapture/survival for the few, need to hear from our leaders that they care about what happens to the not rich, the regular people who need child care, health care, and a commons they can rely on in contrast to the survivalist fantasies the majority reject.