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It disturbs me greatly that one Senator, Sinator (sic) Tuberville, can stop the confirmation of 250 military officers including the next Commandant of the Marines! All because the usual way to confirm them is by unanimous consent. Otherwise its a long, long process to confirm each one by a vote. Maybe they should amend the Senate rules to be near unanimous consent like 98% is enough. Sounds like the Senate rules need to put in some checks and balances to prevent one senator having inordinate power like Sinator Manchin for another example. It really is a sin to have people who put personal power over the good of the nation and its People in Congress.

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It really is a sin to have people who put personal power over the good of the nation and its People in Congress.

AKA "corruption".

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And now, obviously, real evidence against Trump is proving that his corruption has gone waaay up the ladder of Republicans even through the Supreme Court! "When law makers break the law, there is no law" said Billy Jack (Anyone remember that movie??)

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I remember that there was such a movie, though I did not see it. What a nail-on-the-head statement though; something an authentic democrat and an authentic republican would agree on. That would apply to law enforcers and law interpreters as well. We all have responsibilities to our society's democratically rendered social contract, but those paid and trusted to promote and protect the public's interests and unalienable human rights have accepted critical additional duties. Those who substantially and deliberately abuse that trust, e.g., corruption, are effectively traitors.

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I remember the movie, Billy Jack. The song from the movie, One Tin Soldier, still brings a tear to my eye.

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Billy Jack was huge in in our area near Palestine, TX.

We all saw it at the former outdoor theatre there.

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It was also huge in our area of North Central Texas, (Denison). I live in San Antonio now.

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Unfortunately he’s not the only one.

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IMO, Tuberville is committing what I call Constitutional Original Sin. He is imposing his RELIGIOUS beliefs on the nation, on the people, on the military. That is anti-American. That is totalitarianism. Which is weakening our nations defense. How is that defensible?

Everyone has a right to a personal view of abortion, marriage or how to brew beer at home. But nobody has the right to force those beliefs on others.

Why is the Democratically controlled Senate so quiet about this monster? Why aren't they changing the rules? Manchin, Sinema? Where are the military personnel? Where are the veterans?I am hearing crickets.

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Heather addressed the why in her talk on Tuesday.

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Thanks. I won't visit FB - I can't support the platform that brought us nightmare after nightmare.

I know about the Senate dynamics. But what I am not hearing is enough outrage and demands for this Senators objections to be overridden.

Here is a link from the DOD describing how bad this is.

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3453605/senate-nominations-hold-stalls-hundreds-of-military-leader-appointments/

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Over 100 million people have signed up for Threads. What a shame. We need more social media like a damn hole in the head.

And Tuberville is about as intelligent as the average garden slug.

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My sentiments exactly regarding FB. I ditched them over a year ago and I am much happier. I get my news from credible news sources such as the Guardian, Means Morning News, The Seattle Times and of course Heather. All while loathing FB and Twitter.

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with FB, as is often the case on any site, what you learn, the information you share and receive from others has lot to do with what you yourself present or say. I've ended up connecting with some amazing, very intelligent activists, artists, writers..many of them are very successful in what they do, and very gifted.

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Me neither. I refuse to use it. I would rather pound my thumb with a hammer...

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It was an excellent talk! I am so happy that the video was available later.

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Is it on YouTube?

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Where is the video available? Thank you

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Facebook, Heather Cox Richardson page

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No way will I use Facebook, Twitter, or Threads. I despise their bosses

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I AM ABOUT A YEAR FREE OF FECEBOOK & TWITS.

I really wish that all ppl, agencies, companies & orgs could kick the habit. They are cutting me and many others who are not addicted to those despicable sites off of their info.

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Heather is the only reason I am on fb. I can't find her on you tube , not recent ones anyway.

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Try listening to younger, independent newscasters (who are also lawyers!) on the Midas Touch network. They are unapologetic-ally PRO-democracy!!! Especially Michael Popock and Glenn Kirschner - check them out!!

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Bill obvious Manchin and Sinema-- they have only 49 votes

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One cannot call oneself a patriot while undermining the military. The entire Senate is complicit.

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Bill, as a vet I agree that we have to keep the best leadrship confirmed and what Tubby is doing is disgraceful, but the D's just are two votes short to change the rules as I suspect both Manchin and Sinema are holding back---so it's not the whole Senate that is complicit--just Rs

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I hear you. I understand the mechanics of this. But sometimes an outrageous and insulting situation presents such a threat to our nation that a powerful statement should be made. I would like to see the Democrats in the Senate lose some decorum. Lay down in the aisles, throw tomatoes, rally vets and the families of service members to protest. Something to make it clear that the Republicans are now NOT the party of patriotism.

OK, I'll calm down. Maybe this will be one of the key campaign issues that brings us the Blue Tsunami and Blue Trifecta November 2024. Irony of ironies is that Alabama has several military bases. Will Tommy Tuberville be the campaign gift that keeps on giving?

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Just charge him with treason or censor him so he can't vote and it won't matter if he holds out.

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ABOVE THE LAW

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Censure.

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Remember when Republicans portrayed themselves as the party of national security and law and order? Now they are the party of craven surrender and criminality.

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In voting for "The Old Ball Coach", the military forces in Alabama got just what they wanted, a dik-headed monster. They man doesn;t care one wit about the oath he took to defend our country. We have every reason to charge him with treason!

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What Alabamians got was, number one, an ex-football coach including a long stint at Auburn. That alone would sway a large swath of Alabama voters. Number two - he's a "good ole boy" - doesn't say it outright, even denies it, but is racist nonetheless and white folks down there know it. He'll do what he can to keep the blacks in their place. Third - he is (or claims to be) an evangelical Christian. That gets a ton of votes in deep south states for sure. Doug Jones, during the brief time he was Senator, was just what Alabama needed in the Senate. A semi-conservative with a brain. A way to show that progress is being made in Alabama to join the country rather than represent the Confederacy. But no - Alabamians showed their true colors by rejecting a fine Senator (Jones) and inserting a wholly unqualified bigot (Tuberville) instead. That dolts like him keep finding their way into our national government continues to enrage me, and reminds me that all my life I was mistaken about the special position American voters deserved.

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Also notice another football state (Ohio) that has Jim (Gym) Jordan representing Republicans. Very SAD!!!!!

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I couldn’t agree more.

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Treason is the only crime defined in the Constitution, and his offenses don’t fit it. But he is the stupidest member of the Senate, maybe in the past 100 years.

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True, Tuberville's conduct doesn't amount to treason, but what Trump did with those missing 48 documents, and more, might. How to explain the sudden deaths last summer of some who were close to Putin? Were they informants? Did Putin learn this from documents given to him by Trump? Is it just a coincidence?

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trump took the documents in January of 2021. In October and November of 2021 a large number of CIA agents were outed. A coincidence? trump would sell his daughter for the right price.

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I agree and I think that U.S. Intelligence knows it. I am hoping that they have disclosed this info to Judge Cannon so that she will give TFG no leeway. If TFG's treason were disclosed there would be a huge eruption in this country and those 50 million supporters would not change their allegiance to him. We're in a very serious and dangerous pickle.

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I think you might mean sedition, for what he did on Jan 6th. I think that until we're sure about why he kept the documents, the less said the better.

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Definitely sedition on Jan. 6, seditious conspiracy. But, the documents, particularly the missing ones, that could well be a different crime. Giving aid and comfort to the enemy is treason. Even Jan. 6 could qualify as treason, an attempt to overthrow the lawful government of the U.S. Obviously, I think the absolute worst of Trump but not without reason.

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We don't know why he held onto the documents, but I'm inclined to believe that he handled them so carelessly because he didn't understand their potential value. That could be why he dug in his heels, decided to turn it into a Trump as Victim scenario, and it snowballed. He might then have decided that he'll fight the charges and that no jury in Florida would ever convict him.

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Exactly right. Thanks.

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As we blather…

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Kennedy from LA might give him a run for his money.

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Oh thats a really high bar.

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Its a shame there isnt a crime defining stupidity - that would certainly clear out much of the deadwood in Congress at this point!

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Republican deadwood - SAD!

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How about seditions then?

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Treason? You're exaggerating. We should be asking why he's doing this and who put him up to it.

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Sinister Gooberville and Sinister Manchin,

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Louie Gomer is Rep Gooberville.

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That man was a judge in Texas. I’d forgotten about that representative gooberville

You know, there can be an entire Gooberville family in Congress.

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Love this! He’s been my “favorite “ Congressional idiot for years. Not one lick of sense or actual recognition of facts has ever been exhibited by him.

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Seriously? HE was a judge????????????????????

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It time to send Diogenes into the Republican Party. I’m afraid his search would fail. The arrogance of ignorance rules the party.

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Tuberville and the rest of The Republican Christian Fascists are even willing to destroy our Military in order to get their way.

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Yeah really Cathy. Usually there are good reasons for Senate rules or norms. I would like to have someone explain just why unanimous consent is a good idea.

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If we can pass a 'budget' comprised of a couple of thousand pages and involving trillions of dollars, I don't understand why we couldn't put all 265 names in one bill and pass them. Sometimes the 'rules' that the Senate notionally operates under seem more like reasons not to take any action that might engender responsibility for the results.

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Good idea. Wonder why they have done it already...

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I dunno, maybe they're not bright enough to figure it out.

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Here’s a suggestion: if everyone online here plus your friends called his office in DC and SC often and express yourselves as to how you are disturbed by his disgraceful penalty to our military, it might provide him with a reason to stop his disgraceful conduct

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You cover all those bases so incredibly well. Thank you. Again and again.

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It’s getting clearer day by day that entire federal democracy is on the line in Nov 24! Trump is more deranged than ever and when Fani Willis delivers, he will go stark crazy as well as Lindsey (my prediction he will be among those indicted)! So the answer is, my friends, our youth, women 18 to 35, and as a new poll indicates--conservative women in suburbs relatively near big cities and aged 35 to 44 who are justifiably worried about the health and lives of their daughters! Makes sense?

So we desperately need all your help; please go to www.turnup.us/ to help these brilliant young Harvard students register the young men and women and their conservative mothers and TURN THEM Out! Please? Our democracy depends on them! Many thanks all!

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Ira, I hope that you’re right about Lindsey! Once he lost his rudder (John McCain), he was ready to become a pilot fish for TFG. He got fed up for about 5 minutes on January 6, but he’s been loyal since then (even when his leader humiliated him at a rally in his own state).

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Did you hear The Bulwark story on Graham?

https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast-episode/ep-1-the-corruption-of-lindsey-graham-2/

They provide a pdf format too.

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The Sunday shows at one time consistently featured Graham and Lieberman. At the time I questioned the wisdom of not getting more viewpoints.

A list of lifetime politicians who have not contributed materially to the good of the people would be interesting.

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I just read the first chapter. Thank you for sharing this.

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Read it! Worth reading for sure!!!

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I read the piece when it came out and am now listening to the audio. It’s excellent.

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Trump probably threatened to Out him. He's such a Queen!

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Ira, While your reasoning is sound, this far out, I’m hesitant to draw any final conclusions as to which segments of the population will be most critical in 24. On an other matter, as someone who, for some time, has followed TurnUP, has held them in high regard, and has contributed whenever I can, I greatly appreciate your repeated plugs.

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Voting engagement per capita is least among the young, so there is a lot of potential there, especially as self-absorbed policies mess with their future.

https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2017/comm/voting-rates-age.html

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@J L, I agree with your assessment and also would note that registering voters when they first become eligible to vote correlates with increasing youth voter turnout. Hence, the immeasurable contribution of organizations such as TurnUP and The Civics Center.

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https://www.lwv.org/educating-voters/high-school-voter-registration

Join League of Women Voters program to educate high schoolers amd register them to vote!

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Thank you Pat--I too am a League of Women Voters member and we have a very active group that goes to our St. Louis area high schools to register seniors. It is the one thing that gives me some hope in the future that the state of Misery (aka Missouri) might become sane again.🗽

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Wonderful! Not the Misery part, though. All the Best to Missouri!

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I too am a member. Just asked the Missoula group about this program. I am wonder if the EChurches have caught onto this & registering voters after services

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Thank you, MaryPat, for adding the League of Women Voters to the list.

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Absolutely and the key issues directly involve their personal issues

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"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. " - Pericles

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Me, too, Barbara Jo!

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Thanks for the turnup compliment; as to segments of the population, I think there is no question that all youth 18 to 25 in cities, burbs, community and tech colleges, women 25 to 35, and some carefully researched conservative mothers to age 44 are undeniably the keys in 24 on nonpartisan C3 appeals to vote on abortion, guns and climate as well as student debt--the older folks are more predictable but not enough votes to win anything without the young and in 26-28, the absolute majority shifts to the younger entirely

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Ira, I wouldn’t dispute any of your analysis. Still, because the general election season is nearly a year away, I believe it behooves all of us to track developments we might not have anticipated that could be consequential.

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Absolute;y!

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Thanks for always keeping this critical action item at the forefront, Ira.

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Ira, I’m a monthly donor after you brought the group to my attention in this forum a while back. Keep on plugging TurnUp!

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Wonderful Becky

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I’m right with you on this and am already writing postcards to young people through Seniors Taking Action that partners with several groups including Field Team 6, Tony the Democrat, and The Civics Center. Would love to learn more about your group 😊

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Susan, here's a little exercise for us, the difference that Supply Side Economics and Demand Side Economics and how each affects our economy. An example of Supply Side Economics (Trickle Down Economics) is the $2.0 trillion tax break that TFG and the Republican-controlled Congress doled out to the large corporations and the wealthy in 2017. What effect did this have on the national economy, on our national debt? And then Demand Side Economics where Pres. Biden wanted to forgive $1.6 trillion of student debt. There are 40 million with student debt. Had the Biden plan gone through, 40 million would have arguably had an average of $40,000 each to spend. What would this have done for the U.S. economy?

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We have a group that meets every Tuesday evening to write postcards, send texts and more. The group's name is The Snowflakes, a moniker adopter after TFG said that we'd melt like snowflakes. I bake brownies for the group. It's great for socializing. Best to connect with the local Democratic Party or one of its clubs.

I am involved with several different clubs here in Imperial Polk County, Florida (this used to be the headquarters of the KKK) as well as the Democratic Executive Committee, the Democratic Party for Polk County.

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Please go to our website and read about their successes. Thanks. Www.turnup.us/

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Their (and our) efforts could go down in flames. There is a movement afoot to have a middle-of-the-road party. https://mail.aol.com/d/folders/1/messages/AGlqq6MQjUiFZK8SrAHFINr2h6s

This would be an almost certain guarantee (as with Ralph Nader) that the Republicans would squeak out a win. There is simply no cure for stupid.

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Their funding is big R donors and dark money; Manchin might bite and run but hard to see more than 5% or so but you are right as it would bite into moderate Rs who won't vote for T---but a long way to go with many twists in the road!

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You are absolutely right and supporting the youth is critical to winning in 2024. Our democracy is literally hanging in the balance.

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Absolutely thanks

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Them that think Republicans think, don't.

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The stories of Republicans imploding are spreading. A physical fight at a meeting of Michigan GOP leaders, the Arizona Republican Party running out of money, and so on. The so-called Freedom Caucus, hell-bent to paint Biden as a criminal, are making fools of themselves with wild allegations that blow up in their faces at scam hearings. They're all floundering, which of course makes them all the more dangerous and unpredictable. The saving grace? They're half as clever as they think they are and as bright as a burned out bulb.

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While you are worried about Republican usual tantrums (which I agree with you sometimes they are barbaric, undemocratic, and out of common sense), I am worried about the ineffective use of economic sanctions in the US foreign policy. Today, HCR told us that surprisingly Turkey's President Endogan has soften his stand to the surprise of the allies, perhaps in anticipation of the sale of military weapons from the US. While this can be an opportunity for US soften its stand and revive a new path, this move will stand to benefit Turkey albeit for a short-term. President Tyyp Erdogan seems to be saying "let me see how you receive me when I call on you." This can be a turn-around approach for US in its relations with Turkey, but the overall plan of foreign policy is no longer as effective as as had been in the past. In the 20th century, while US had banned the use of economic sanctions, Europeans embraced it fully. But, today, the reverse is true with US dishing out as many economic weapons of sanctions as much as possible. Every slightest uproar from North Korea to Russia, America runs to the store of economic sanctions. Europe no longer value so much about economic sanctions even in NATO and they are reluctant to implement, but the US has remained rigid in its tactics.

European Union wants to protect its trade with Iran

Africa has started cordial relationships with Iran (Today, Iranian President is in Kenya).

Russia is infiltrating Africa

China is softly courting Europe and Africa

What should US do?

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In response, support Africa where feasible, continue to build NATO and alliances, sanctions have hurt Russia and Iran, but allowing dictatorships in Africa to thrive isn't healthy and if necessary. We are already sending help to the people of Africa in many nations and there are organizations which supply food for undernourished. How much can the US do? A lot more if we tax corporations and the wealthy!

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You complain and complain. What do you think all the different European countries and all the different African countries and the US and Canada and Mexico do? I am interested in your proposed solutions, not just the problems you see. Thanks!

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I think his purpose is to open this up to discussion.

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Yet millions of American voters will vote for them in 2024. Look at the harm they have done in our State legislatures. Watch how the Freedom Caucus Republicans will all get re-elected. There must be an antidote for the poisons spread through social media that nourish the lies that get people to vote for them. It has been said that 'knowledge is power.' Well, ignorance also has power in determining election results ... and we all suffer the consequences.

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Good point: "ignorance is power", as well.

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Lol, a burned out small appliance bulb

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The people in the video look and act like old hookers and bar bouncers. They don't fit with my perhaps antiquated idea of Republicans.

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But not a spent force as yet. Money keeps keeping on.

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Backed into a corner & even more vicious.

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Candidate quality is a huge problem with the idiots republicans have backed.

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Someone has to think up all that BS, but you are partly right: the republican rank & rabble don't think. They just repeat what they hear, and that's usually false.

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It's funny how the extreme right calls democrats "communists." They do not realize that the engine of the Soviet State was run on crazy propaganda, much like the Republican party today.

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you can be called a "communists" & woke in the same rant.

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"Them that think Republicans think, don't."

That notion is an unforced error of the Left. Republicans 'thought' enough of capturing the Supreme Court that they united a disparate right wing to vote for Donald Trump. And that took Republicans up and down the line and across the nation thinking up effective tactics to grab hold the levers of political power.

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LOL

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