364 Comments

Heather… I don’t envy the letter you’ll be writing tomorrow. Very wise of you to take a night off. Aloha… TJB

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Jul 14·edited Jul 14

Pfff... Indeed, poor Heather... She'll be gnashing her teeth while writing tomorrow's letter, I think. Oh man, the Orange convict and the GOP are SO going to be milking this event to their advantage. This is the best that could EVER happen to him, he'll be unstoppable now with the "pity vote" and MegaMusk officially in his favour. Now, all the Musk fanboys will have to follow suit and be falling in line behind the TFFG, too.

Blech. I'm getting sick thinking about that orange blob all gloating over this... Only a miracle can save America now.

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Dutch, I have already suggested to many people both personally & digitally to tune into Professor Heather Cox Richardson's LFAA later today, Sunday, 7/14.

I also recommend Dr Bady X. Lee's Substack. Dr. Lee's Substack subscribers are currently reading previewed Chapters of her new book which researches deeply into the "shared psychosis" of DJT followers. We are now reading Chapter 12. As

you may know, Dr Lee is the forensic psychiatrist who accurately diagnosed "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" back in 2017 not last week like the NYT.

I Zoom weekly with Dr Lee's community to discuss clinical matters & Dr. Lee's public actions in response to the sentencing of the prior President now rescheduled for September 18, 2024 before Judge Merchan.

Stay Safe All.

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"Shared psychosis"... I think that's quite an accurate description. It may sound arrogant, but I think the Rump Cultists did not evolve beyond "tribal thinking": everyone not from the tribe is "other" and therefore automatically dangerous, the only response to danger they know is violence, and they will gladly (and cowardly) unite behind a big, strong chieftain who will tell them what to do so they don't have to figure it out themselves. They will shout "freedom, freedom!" without ever having a free thought. They simply cannot think beyond this level - and Rump, the GOP and Project 2025 know, and exploit, this fact - IMNSHO (in my not-so-humble opinion).

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To know if you're tribal, take a DNA test. If it comes back Homo sapiens, then you're tribal. The only question is who you include and who you exclude. Jesus said to include the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the peacemakers, those who, like Joe Biden, are persecuted for being good, and the people who followed Jesus' advice started the movement we now call Christianity.

William F. Buckley said include the rich and powerful, exclude everyone else, call that Christianity, hope no one notices that real Christianity has precisely the oppose intent, and the people who followed his advice began the movement we now call neoconservatism.

We need the world to be a better place. All we must do is recognize that the number of people in our tribe is roughly eight billion, and that's a lot easier to do than living in a dystopia.

"Everyone counts or nobody counts." —Harry Bosch

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Jul 14·edited Jul 14

I totally agree with "Everyone counts or nobody counts"; it's basically the same what Lincoln said: "I should like to know if taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal, upon principle, and making exceptions to it, where will it stop?"

Trouble is, that's "we"-thinking. Try and teach the MAGAts that. They will keep to their "other"-thinking, they can't stand the thought of Black and LGBTQ+-people belonging to the "we"...

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The goal of changing MAGA minds is different than the goal of winning all three branches of government in November. In relative terms, the former will require an enormous effort with low to no impact, and the latter will require less effort with a potentially enormous impact. To get to the desired destination, we need to check our surroundings, but we must keep your eyes on the road.

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Amen!

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So much for "they". Can "we" stand the thought of including Trump and his followers in our tribe?

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Remember - they cant stand the thought of women - who think!!

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Love Harry's direct action quotes: " Get off your Ass & Knock on some Doors" come to mind now.

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Waiting for more Harry Bosch.

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I share your IMNSHO. 🎯 I think Dr Lee lectured the phrase "shared psychosis" originated with Carl Jung.

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His last words, mouthed to the crowd/to camera, as he was hustled off stage left: "Fight! Fight! Fight!" No mistaking what he meant.

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"Shoot them! Shoot them all!", most likely.

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Yes, well he's made sure they're all well armed.

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I agree...Dr. Bany Lee is an excellent

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Au contraire …obvious IS even some Republicans dislike him enough to contemplate murder..proof positive as if there was any misrepresenting the overall opinion …that thoughts of this nature get endlessly played, divergent programming ad nauseum is their tedious tactic…THE REPUGNANT RUSE IS UP!

Thanks Joe Biden for your signature kindness , ‘’Donald..” survived …and …The BS rally was stopped. We all agree violence isnt necessary ….

**** WE ALL 🗣️ALL KNOW 🗣️ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS 💙VOTE BLUE💙 , to STOP. THIS. COUP. ***

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I think it’s too early to say the BS rally was stopped: Rump will find a way to spin it somehow. “It was was a liberal in disguise”, “he was Republican but paid to do this by The Left / by Biden / by Obama” etc etc. He has to, for his own ego, because he will never, ever admit that he has gone so radical that even some Republicans disagree with him.

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Yes, Dutch, it will do Trump no harm. Biden has an excellent cabinet of people who his listens to, and he in particularly interested in listening to his constituents. Trump listens to nobody. He won't miss that ear at all.

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Jul 15·edited Jul 15

Somehow though David, I suspect he won't have to lose that ear, though i get your point.

The words, "political theatre" keep resonating in my head. My son, up in Ohio & not a political person per se, said to me this evening, "Mom, didn't it strike you odd that a man who certainly wouldn't have expected to be shot at, seemed so..almost casual about someone almost taking him out, winging him in his ear? Pumping his fist and reacting almost as if he was prepared for, expecting it? " Then he said, that he thought he had to be mentally really "out of it" given his reaction, or "yes, perhaps this was staged."

So...Please vote Blue. Less drama, more truth in action.

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Bonnie, I will definitely vote Blue. I understand your son's skepticism. But I think that bullet came to close to taking him out for it to have been staged. It does seem like poetic justice given Trump's support for gun rights.

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It’s sorta like their M.O.is predictable…

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That's already begun. EVERY news source in Australia (Australia!) is spinning it that way.

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Makes one wonder who is paying the media in Australia...

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Indeeed. Can't all be Rupert. I suspect Farage. There's nothing I can read or listen to now, not even national radio. Thank goodness for the French - I don't have to cancel my subscription to Le Monde.

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More drama, though I’m sure he had some anxiety, nobody wants , but the bully implying is OK, retribution 😬

Let’s just VOTE BLUE non violent easy truth in action…💙💙

…but they do know how to spin that yarn , huh ? !

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We must be the miracle! Vote blue!

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Thank You Joan. 🎯 I have been approved as an Election Worker in November.

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That deserves a round of applause :)

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No Red Waving, please. This was incorrect before the 2022 midterms and is also incorrect in 2024.

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Sure hope so.

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Dutch Mike - For some comfort, I recommend you read today's Jay Kuo's Substack - The Status Kuo - entitled, "2024 Isn't Nearly Done With Us". It provides an excellent, reasonable, comforting perspective based on facts thus-far learned about the shooter.

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Jul 14·edited Jul 15

Thanks for the tip. I like the pun "Status Kuo" ;) But I must say I'm not as reassured as Kuo is... (see comment by Anne-Louise Luccarini).

A somewhat different topic: your name seems quite German, if I might say so... Both first and second name (though your family name could be Dutch as well ;) ) Am I right? Or completely off the mark?

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Yes, you are right. I am German AND a U.S. Citizen. I have dual citizenship.

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Ich wusste es ;)

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Rest well. This is going to be an interesting week and one that will keep you beyond busy. I’m scared but determined to continue to do as much as I can to make a difference. You are a wonderful role model and educator.

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Fear is like a hammer in that they are both potentially useful tools. We can follow Linda's example and use it to build something that will protect us, or we can follow the Republican example and use it to hit other people over the head.

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That’s for sure!

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Thanks Linda, exemplary Democratic dialog🫶

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After what happened today, I thought about one of the sayings that my late husband used to use in his recovery program was the phrase, “Just for today…………” and I found this, “Just for today I shall be unafraid. Particularly, I shall be unafraid to be happy, to enjoy what is good, what is beautiful, and what is lovely in life. Just for today I will not compare myself with others. I will accept myself and live to the best of my ability”. We’ve got to take things one day at a time. If we start thinking “what if”, we will be in trouble. Peace y’all.

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Thank you

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Yes ma’am 🤓

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Such wisdom✌️

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Thank you Heather…

E.B. White’s words of wisdom are to become my daily mantra. Thank you for sharing them on this particular evening.

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EB White— such a hero of a man.

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EB's Maine farm was a few miles down the road from us in Maine and it is the place that is never to be mentioned--much like Lord Voltemort's name.

John Hodgman writes about the mystique behind the unwritten agreement to never talk about EB White or where his family farm is. Of course, everyone knows where it is and his son is a boat builder in Brooklin. The book is Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches and is a fun little read. It's kinda sorta a tongue in cheek autobiography.

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Gary Loft -- Am wondering why E.B. White was such an anathema in your neck of the Maine Woods??

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Not "anathema," I'd think, rather the parsimonious Old Yankee ethos (respect for privacy, exhibiting personal dignity) in action.

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Fabulous treat today, eh!?

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Thank you Heather. Really nothing to say right now. We will see tomorrow.

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Exactly. Nothing to say and filling the airwaves with opinions and conjecture.

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Already one or two things to conject about!

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Ally, already some R nonsense out there. Thanks to the cats for the thoughts for the dog. We put him on a nice foam mat and hopefully, he will sleep through the night.

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Thank you. I needed that.

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Heather has to wait a day. She’s an historian, not a reporter.

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Absolutely agree…Historian, and a darn good! HRC saves my spirits everyday.

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Saved my belief in democracy.. which is here being ‘called out’ by hidden trolls in the garden of political life…

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SHe wouldn't be taking the day off it had been Biden. I'm calling bullshit.

She is taking the day off until the DNC tells her what she is allowed to say.

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Only history will reveal how solid and reliable Heather Cox Richardson was in her time.

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Are you kidding? Heather isn't a historian, she is a political activist. No chance her narrative will be honest.

I caught her lying about a Supreme Court ruling last year Sackett v EPA. SHe said it was a 5-4 ruling. It was 9-0. That was not a mistake it was purposeful.

She got embarrassed by Dan Bongino on a national program for lying about the economy.

Just last month she claimed that Trump economic plan was going to lower the GDP to 1.3% and said it would cause a recession. The last time I checked a recession is 3 negative quarters of GDP.

She didn't correct a single item. If she was honest she would have . This is a farce.

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You are correct. Remember when she made the mistake of mentioning the Middle East once last fall? It was a pretty big story, something you'd think a historian might be interested in. But it turns out she was insufficiently pro-terrorist for her fans, so she never mentioned it again, sticking to safer topics like Biden's unparalleled economic success and sharp mind. She simply repeats what the New York Times says. When news happens, she needs a day to . . . gather her thoughts.

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You are NEVER going to get an original opinion. Its all filtered through the DNC

propaganda machine. There will be NO NEW news here.

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So why are you here?

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To combat all the lying. Why are you here? For the confirmation bias?

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Nope - she's given us the second Conversation with the Secretary of State to remind us what intelligent, compassionate discourse is. Vincent Van Trumpf can wait until tomorrow.

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Is that before or after she calls Trump and his supporters fascists, Hitlerian, deplorable, and evil?

BTW How did a low level History professor get an interview with the Secretary of State? Party loyalty? Softball questions?

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Right on

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Perfect Letter for this fraught day.

ThankYou HCR.

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"Wind the clock" takes me back to a simpler time and place when we didn't feel such a pervasive need to rely on hope, and when nobody I knew wore a hat.

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My dad wore a hat all his life. I read somewhere that men stopped wearing hats in 1959. I left home that year, so I don’t remember if Daddy kept wearing his. Now, headgear has become political statements and divisive identifiers. I like to remember my dad’s hat and a time when a hat was a hat.

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I don't know if a hat will ever be just a hat again. I bought a red hat from a botanical garden about 5 years ago and then just couldn't wear it. I didn't want anyone thinking it was a MAGA hat. 😢

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I was always amazed at the blank stares I got when I asked a MAGA hat wearer where it was made.

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😄

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They have limited range, in ideas and geography…

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Lordy, I’d hate to be mistaken for a MAGAt. The MAGAts in my family know well that I’m not. Of course, I’ve never worn hats. But they know…

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I love hats.

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My dad and grandfather wore hats well into the ‘60’s. Quite Madmen- ish.

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My Dad looked quite distinguished in his hat - and work clothes. Of course, he never wore it inside. Top of fridge was a holding place.

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Shelf in the hall closet was where my Dad put his fedora when he came home from work!

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Nice memories for me. Daddy was a flawed man, but he learned and tried to do better. Hope yours are good memories too.

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My grandfather wore a Stetson.

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How cool, has a Texas vibe. Today Texas cowboys are all hat, no cattle.

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My dad, having gone bald quite early in life, was a devoted hat wearer (with a Stetson fedora amongst them). I also married a non-bald devoted hat wearer who has a collection of fedoras, one of which is also a Stetson.

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Caps seem to have taken over heads, but I loved fedoras back in the day,

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Remember Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue-bonnet?

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Barely, we had little entertainment

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It was in "Make Mine Music", Disney's follow-up to "Fantasia".

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Happily, in this digital age, we still have a clock that needs winding. Winding it reminds me that everything in life isn't automated.

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My husband was an antique clock collector. I love to watch old shows (turn of the century) that have the old timepieces (Murdoch Mysteries). Wish my antique guy were still around to ooh and aah over them.

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Sorry for your loss. Our wind-up is a Ridgeway mantel clock, perhaps 40 years old, that sits on a 200-year-old drop-leaf desk. The clock, which is a modest brand, will run more than a week without winding, but remains more accurate if I wind it twice a week. While the ticking and chiming remain in the sonic background, I miss those soft sounds when we're not at home.

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Husband so loved his clocks, had 600 at one time. Cleaned movements with carburetor cleaner and dried them in our oven. Sadly, I had to sell most of them when he became ill. One of those “tell God your plans and give him/her a good laugh” things. He had antique furniture too, roll-top desk, etc. he loved working with wood and rocks. Not the easiest things to move. Hope you appreciate your dependable clock friend.

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Thanks for giving us hope, Heather.

https://www.timelesstimely.com/p/hang-onto-your-hat

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What an inspiring link!

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Hope's constant companion is Fear. Fear that their Hope won't be fulfilled.

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Could what happened today to Trump actually been staged by Trump?

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Harold, that thought occurred to me as well, but dismissed it as unlikely because TFFFG would normally (IMHO) not put himself in the path of danger….and such an act would be super-duper risky. I find it intriguing that, just moments ago, it was announced (MSNBC) that the shooter was a registered Republican. OK…that’s an unforeseen complication…especially, as I understand it, Don Jr. has already excoriated “the Left” for this action…jumping the gun, as usual. I am ashamed to say that, as one who abhors violence, I thought “only one inch to the right and….”—something a friend today also copped to thinking. No, not OK, never OK, but have to admit that fleeting moment. And then…..thinking what will this mean for the coming election months….sadly, thinking this event will be monetized and utilized. I hate feeling so jaded about our electoral process and its seamy underbelly. As an aside, I was heartened that Bernie came out unequivocally in support of Biden/Harris…that’s good. A vote for one is a vote for both…a fine elder statesman with an excellent backup partner (doing her own great job in the meantime)….AND a great cabinet and support staff to boot. Weird, weird times we are living in.☮️ Anybody else as tired as I am of all of this??

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You’re absolutely not alone, not in your thoughts and not in your weariness. It’s one of the things that I dislike most about Trump - that thoughts like those now pass through my mind. I don’t like being the person who can think those things, but so far, I can’t help it.

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They are a lawless bunch, those Republicans. Not surprised at all and quite expected it. Mob bosses like tffg, live in a dangerous world.

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In my memory of political assassinations in my lifetime, it has been people who leaned right who assassinated people who leaned left. I’m not surprised that the shooter was a Republican. Would love to have heard his motive. Trumps scratches I assume came from secret service taking him down to the floor.

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Nobody took him down to the floor. As soon as he felt his ear and saw blood, he ducked behind the front of the rostrum in a surprisingly practised way.

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You can get to the dark side by going too far to the left, or you can get there by going too far to the right. Whether someone got their by going clockwise or counterclockwise is of interest from a historical perspective, but the only thing that really matters is the destination.

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My thought about the scratches on the ear, as well. The SS mantra is to take down the protectee and fall on him/her, placing SS bodies in harm's way as protection. In a shooting situation, the SS wouldn't hesitate to grab tfg's head and force him to the floor, placing him at least out of sight of the shooter. Alas, the MAGAts will play this situation to the hilt, hyping even more tfg's so-called victimhood.

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But they didn't. He knelt down out of sight (and presumably took his shoes off) before anyone got to him.

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What a disgusting post. First of all shame on you for comparing anyone to Hitler. He murdered 6 million Jews. You don't to crap all over their souls to make political points.

YOU ARE THE PROBLEM and if you want a civil you are going to get one with this kind of crap. 50% of the country supports Trump and when you invoke the name of Hitler you are calling them all evil and murderous.

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In this context, it's pretty obvious that SS stands for Secret Service, the U.S organization that properly was at the rally to protect Donald Trump.

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Are you serious?

In 2012 a Bernie Sanders supporter shot Congressman Steve Scalise at a Congressional baseball game. In 2020, a democrat hospitalized Rand Paul after he attacked him. In 2022, A man was arrested outside the home of Justice Roberts

with guns who was on his way to assassinate Roberts, and now PResident Trump

and you have the chutzpah to say this is a right wing problem.

This is a joke.

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James, the issue with Rand Paul was not political, tho the next door neighbor was/is a Democrat and they did not agree on much, it was, rather, a “neighbor dispute” of longstanding having to do with, mostly, a “yard work”. They kinda both sound like brats & not a good way to settle disputes! Here’s a VOX article that goes into some depth: https://www.vox.com/2018/6/12/17453976/rand-paul-assault-rene-boucher-neighbors-dispute-pile-of-brush

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Tired? Yes Barbara. And now, let's watch as the (R)ss-holes grab a hold of Bidens stance on (banning) assault weapons and claim it is 'their' (as in 'was their') position, and that it has been, all along. Watch. That bunch has no scruples. Could this have been staged? Without a doubt. Anybody gonna check the where-abouts of that blood sample? Dr Jackson handling that one? GMAFB!

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MR, lol…as they do of many Biden Admins good works….sigh (a really good time for some well placed billboard signs in their communities to tout “who brung it”, and who voted against it!). One thing I am enjoying amidst all this mess is the “Joe’s age” drumbeat is, at least for the moment, quiet…chasing the most recent “shiny squirrel”

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Barbara, I had all the same thoughts!

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Betcha I'm more tired of it than you are.

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A-L, perhaps it’s a “mass fatigue event”!!!! 🧐

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Now, that could be fun!

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Sadly, I think that's been one " option" considered by a number of us. He has made a political career out of being a "victim" & victims sometimes get the "pity" vote.

But when I think back to a number of school/ public mass shootings that took place on his watch, he seemed reluctant to take steps towards endorsing any curative measure legally, to stem the tide of school & in general, mass shootings. Nothing but the expression of " prayers & condolences" for the families & that we have to "move forward; " after a 36 hour wait on his response, after a shooting in the state of Iowa, in particular..

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How disgusting and disgraceful. THis is your response to political violence?

You are the problem and people like you. When you reduce your political opponents to animals you are a lost cause. This is exactly how we get to a civil war.

Shame on you.

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James.., reelaxxxx, "you reap what you sow"..., it's in that 'Good Book'.. isn't it?

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Troll feeding never accomplishes anything but more trolling.

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I, and several others here who've commented to me are 100% thinking that "James A" is the former "John Schmeekle" troll that was soundly spanked by the forum a few months back. Too many similarities to not be.

When he first appeared in his former name, I got angry. Then I started finding his rantings hilarious. That got boring, so I just skipped over them all.

Now I see his posts and pass them unless I see someone reply to him. I actually feel a tiny bit of pity for him, as think about this: what a sad existence to go to a place (this forum) where you have to be as irritating as possible to get the attention you crave? I'm entirely honest here, not joking. It reminds me of late jr high, early HS, when there was this pip-squeak of a guy who was an outcast. Who knows now what his family situation was, but he was poorly dressed and had no hygiene skills. He would routinely insert himself--or try--into the circle of the guys, and when rejected, he'd take to standing off to the side and making odd comments and muttering. He ended up a suicide at about age 16.

"James A" could easily go to any MAGA site and find acceptance, as online, nobody would see his physical appearance, but he'd blend in and not get the attention he seems to need.

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Miselle, I hadn't made the possible connection with John Schmeekle, but now I can see the similarities. Most people don't bother to "like" him or respond, which, regardless of his identity, probably takes the fun out of his cauldron-stirring. I really had to laugh at his comment "Where is the conservative political violence?" He must have slept through the January 6 tour of the Capitol.

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Yeah I know., Nancy..., it was just an opportunity to throw a few balloons into the air, that's all. The satisfaction comes from knowing others just had better things to do with their time than to chase the "shiny squirrel" as Barbara Keating, referred to he/him/it/or whatever.

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Disgusting

There is no trolling. Just people like you who embarrass america with you love of political violence.

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What a disgusting comment. It's the victims fault?

Is that true of biden and Clinton.

Disgraceful

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Who reaped what they sowed? Where is conservative political violence?

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If the field is sewn with unregulated gun ownership, violence will be the harvest reaped.

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Unregulated? What in the hell are you talking about

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Trump has indeed made himself to appear a victim repeatedly, while he was president & prior. If you don't see it that way, you're entitled to your opinion; as I am mine. Trump & his syncophants, Bannon, Stone & the rest, never took responsibility for their words or actions; but always took to the route to threatening retribution & attacking others, response. But reduce them to animals; I did no such thing. And frankly animals deserve better treatment than many receive. Most are not responsible for the poor treatment they receive; but if trump receives condemnation for many of his actions, they appear to me to be well received & deserved. Trump has often taken the tact to get others to do his dirty work, so he could step back & say my hands are clean. (Sound similar to another character in biblical history?) It's not WHAT he says, but HOW he says it. Much like a mob boss can step back and say, " I never said to them to pull that trigger." I don't advocate violence of any kind; especially political; because it threatens the democratic process. You can not say the same about trump; ESPECIALLY after January 6th. Simply stating what many appear to have questioned.

As for " love of political violence," no one here advocated that. That's in your " head." I merely suggested honestly, that like me, the thought passed through our minds that it was staged? Political theater? I guess you don't recall his walk to the church by the white house, with his little entourage carrying a Bible he's admitted to barely opening. That my friend is theatrical, among other things.

Back at you. " Shame on you" fir not acknowledging the truth of this grave situation of gun violence in American & the fact that during his presidency, he did little to stem the tide. Fueled some violent actions if I and others recall, viewing a number of incidents, during those 4 tumultuous years.

So..don't you dare shame me. LOL

Shame on you for not acknowledging the truth of trump's own inaction during his presidency, to advocate against racism, bigotry & violence..& January 6th. (And the infamous quote....."Proud boys..stand

by?" And isn't it curious, given the events of January 6th on the steps of OUR CAPITAL BUILDING & the ensuing breech, as he was watching on his WH television, his administration begged him to call off the "violence" at the Capital building & when he finally did..they essentially disbursed.

AS for Biden & Clinton, they never advocated for violence & citizens fighting over lied about " fake" elections. His own people admitted under oath, they knew he lost. Perhaps you should

come to accept that as well.

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Bonnie, well said!

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So you are justifying the assassination attempt. That makes you amoral and as bad

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I'm sorry, but

it appears to be you who justifies your words by twisting other's words & deflecting. I suspect you enjoy doing it. Either some perverse pleasure is at play here in your mind, or you're simply a twisted human who favors authoritarian figures & despises anyone who'd suggests otherwise. If I could block you, I would. But i can ignore you. No reasonable discourse may be had with you.

Just curious, but are you familiar with the term "malignant narcissist?"

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Sir, I am sorry for what happened to Trump yesterday. Sorry if you were offended by my speculation

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Jul 14·edited Jul 14

Given the timing, (his bullying behaviors backfired on him in the debate), that he was not seriously injured and that the whole event looked like a theatrical reality tv event it was hard for my mind to not go there. On top of that, you know that they are going to fabricate blame and gaslighting 💩💩to feed their base.

It certainly is hard to not see it as part of their fake fuckery.

However, that would be succumbing to the same sloth of mind that I despise them for. Making an effort to quiet my imagination and distrust, while waiting for the truth to come out, however long it takes.

How tragic, the loss of life of an innocent spectator, no matter how much hate they spew on others.

And the questions that came to my mind about the ob/gyn doctor that was interviewed after the event. The duplicity of supporting tffg when you’re paid to provide reproductive health care to women. 😳

Seems, the bewilderment never ends.

Hope everyone finds some peace and joy in their world today. ♥️

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Christy -- are you talking about the doc wearing a red hat and a bloody USA T-shirt, that attempted to save the life of the man who died? If so, he's an ER doc, not Ob/Gyn. And a hearty yes to your last paragraph.

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That would make way more sense, but the NBC interviewer kept saying he was an Ob/Gyn. He was sitting a little ways from the person that was hit in the head and died immediately and related that he had helped carry that person to a tent.

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Two different doctors.

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When 45 ducked, there was a commotion to the left of where he had been standing and people bending over - was that where the unfortunate person was hit in the head? a number of people screaming.

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Yeah.. and a big "F"..., NBC along with the rest of those pulpit generators. They suck. They have all sunken to the lowest tabloid level. The Guardian, seems to provide some level of hope, but even that/they can be permeated by the amount of scum out there.

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While I don’t put anything past Trump, it doesn’t resonate that he might be behind this. It was too close. But if some third party wanted to throw more chaos at us, sow more fear, anger, and confusion among us…someone, say, like Putin… 🤔

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Unlikely. It would be folly to get rid of him: there's almost no telling who he would get as a replacement; Rump is pretty much the best hand puppet Putin could ever wish for.

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Dunno, Dutch. Look at the Kremlin’s reaction.

Russia accuses Biden administration of creating atmosphere for attack on Trump - https://www.reuters.com/world/us/russia-accuses-biden-administration-creating-atmosphere-attack-trump-2024-07-14/

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QUICK HENRY... THE FLIT!!!! GEEEZZUSSSSS KERRRRYYYYST... THE BUGs ARE EVERYWHERE!

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Consider this. The shooter might not have actually have hit Trump at all. Might the cut on Trump’s ear be caused by a relatively safe charge attached to that very ear?

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Honestly, Harold, don't start the rumor mills. Accept it for what it is. As much as I dislike Trump, I didn't want to see him shot. I know many others here have said the same: that we wish he'd have an MI or stroke as his lifestyle lends itself to one. My personal wish was what a friend used to say to me all the time when he was POTUS. She wished that when he tried to take Melania's hand as he disembarked Air Force 1, she'd swat his hand away, causing him to trip from the top of the stairs all the way down to the tarmac, landing on his head, causing either quadriplegia, or a fatality.

(BTW, both she and her spouse and two children were all veterans.)

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So you don't want him shot but you do hope he dies a painful accidental death. Thanks for your honesty. Spoken like a true HRC fan.

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You do pay to post here, so one could imagine that you, too, are a fan.

But if your presence here is an apparent attempt to garner books sales or whatever for your Substack, I suspect you'll not find any here. Revel in your misery, Ned!

As with other trolls I come across, I'll pass you by the future. But do feel free to reply, as I will see then that I struck a nerve. YAY!

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There's something else, which every stage actor knows - the blood capsule. Usually worn under the costume. Give it a quick slap, and out comes the blood. Very realistic.

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Maybe I watch too much murder mystery shows like Murdock’s Mysteries!

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Jim Stewartson, who has been closely following Mike Flynn’s behaviors for years has proposed such a possible theory. I can’t imagine Putin killing his own ticket to freely claiming Ukraine as his own though. Sickening to even say such stuff.

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What a stupid post. As usual not an ounce of proof. Let me guess, you believe in Ronald mcDonald and the Tooth Fairy too?

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The audio has proved it was gunfire. Ballistics has weighed in with multiple experts verifying that fact. Let them spin their conspiracies, it only proves how dumb and desperate they are.

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Does an AR go pop-pop-pop-pop-pop?

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Who said it was an AR? All that was said was that it was gunfire, unlike some who are saying it was fake blood, and faked incident.

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Last I read, it was a registered republican, but not a fan apparently.

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Yes, who donated to the Democratic Party. Even on this site many of the commenters registered Republican to vote for Nimarata Haley in the primary.

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I hate conspiracy theories— anyway u know he’ll be milking this true event!

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When you can't condone violence you are the problem.

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Do you mean condemn violence? That would make sense.

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Yess James, there are times when a 'smackdown' is called for. Corporal punishment.. so disdained.., is there even a need for it? Unfortunately, for all of us, the smackdown should have occurred when it came out of the womb. Quote, "the head nurse spoke up.. leave this one alone.. I can tell right away.., he's 'bad to the bone'.." Geo Thorogood, and the Destroyers 1982." un-quote. Opportunity lost!

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so you are condoning the murder of your political rival?

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No, I believe that was what trump was hoping for, if he were elected president again; given the recent Supreme Court, "republican" majority opinion, respect to the expanded powers of the presidency. The difference is, they know President Biden would never act on it.

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I'm sorry, MadRussian12a, but I don't post that often here; so somewhat unfamiliar with the "players."

But am I mistaken about certain folks, that one in particular is either a whiner, or is curmudgeon more appropos?

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Ohhh yes he will.

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No, could not have been staged - the bullet missed his head by no more than an inch as Trump turned his head. Otherwise he would be dead or seriously wounded at this time. I was an Expert Marksman in the U.S. Army. There is no chance that one could guarantee that degree of accuracy from the distance that the shot was fired. Additionally, if staged the target would have been a non-lethal part of Trump's body.

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Harold, I wondered that myself, but the Secret Service killed the guy which makes it more unlikely.

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Not so unlikely.

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Collateral damage.

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You reap what you sow.

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30 morons think trump staged it. That says it all

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What a joke that that would be your first reaction. Not prayers for the families, not

lets lower the political temperature. This is disgraceful.

Violence is a left wing value. It always has been from Reagan - Scalise - BLM Riots - Rand Paul attack - Justice Robert assassination - to President Trump, and you have the chutzpah to

suggest it was staged.

Trump and Kennedy have both been asking for more protection and Biden has turned both down.

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All we received during the trump.presidency was " prayers & condolences " for the families of dead school children, shot while huddled together, hiding in their class rooms. Gun bills were submitted, but republicans rarely vote to cut back on the type & number of guns available to the public.

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Violence is a left wing value??? I said what??? Can you send me any names of progressives that are members of the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys,.....all the GIJoe "wanna play with guns in the backyard sandbox, sucky babies?"

Trumpspeak propaganda rallies are a joke.........he cannot pay for indoor venues because Melania is using all the senior citiezn donations paying off the thousand dollar hairdresser.....projecting the fake model persona to the brainless Maga cult followers.

There were about 10 secret servicemen that swarmed aroung Trump........how many more of these guys are needed? The MAGA Trump-a-sphere is a disgrace to the free world......top down.

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That was my first thought!!!

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Oh my GOODNESS!!! SURELY not???

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I'm happy to learn that E B White was a Mainer.

The gentle America.

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EB White was a hypochondriac which I picked up when reading his book, "Letters of EB White."

It's actually pretty humorous as you read the letters. I actually wouldn't recommend this book, but see if you don't agree with me when you read it.

The Blue Hill Fair, which is coming up at the end of August, always has a Wilbur the Pig since the Fair was one of the locations in the book. It's a fun little fair.

And if you do go, sign up for the frying pan throw (sorry men, for ladies only). Last year there were contestants from Europe and Australia that I recall. Great fun.

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Sounds great! That Hill had better be very Blue indeed this year.

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Best words written today

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It is, for sure. And great call on tomorrow. We will be there.

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One of those days I don't want to "adult" anymore. Reading the words of E.B. White reminded me too of my youth and reading "Charlotte's Web", one of the first books I ever read that made me cry at the end. A good time to check out and chill . . .

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I was partial to *The Elements of Style.*

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That's Strunk and White

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White was actually asked to update William Strunk's Elements of Style after Strunk's death. He had been a student of Strunk's in college. White did so keeping Strunk's intentions in mind, editing - cutting and adding to and modernizing the text into the clear and classic book we all know today.

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Yep, used both Strunk & White and Turabian when I was in college, and also when I was Asst. Editor of the local PBS radio station's monthly program guide. I may still have a copy packed up around here somewhere. Incidentally, I saw Garrison Keillor's Writers' Almanac mentioned it was White's birthday a few days ago.

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I So Appreciate You 🙏!

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Me too!

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