913 Comments

It just takes your breath away, the blatant declaration of the authoritarian plan. Republicans won't fight this monster. We must.

“...increasing the president’s authority over every part of the federal government that now operates, by either law or tradition, with any measure of independence from political interference by the White House.”

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Republicans have been stitching this monster together since at least Reagan. The "Monster" is just a manifestation of the absolute-power-obsessed modern "Republican" soul.

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Like most criminals at the end of their careers of crime trump and his enablers have become reckless and most dangerous to themselves: think Tony Montana of “Scarface”. They destroy everything and everyone around them. Jack Smith and his team of brave prosecutors are coming for them with the full weight of the Federal Government behind them. It’s too bad we have to spend any energy at all battling against domestic enemies, but we must and are doing so. There is no question that trump will be considered the most vilified of all American presidents.

Aaron Burr was pretty self destructive and he left an infamous legacy for himself. But unlike the cowardly and insipid trump, Burr was a great patriot, fighter for our Revolution and brilliant lawyer who came within one vote in Congress of becoming our third president, instead of Thomas Jefferson. If you’re seeking a good summertime read, I recommend Gore Vidal’s, “Burr”; it’s a great exploration of old New York and the career of Burr, seen through the eyes of Burr’s loyal assistant. Funny, poignant, tragic...wonderful.

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"think Tony Montana of “Scarface”". One can only hope KD. That this whole cancerous tumor of a political party will come crashing down.

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Their whole enterprise now depends of sustaining illusion. That unquestionably dangerous, but has got to be a vulnerability, leaving them with so little to stand on.

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Dear Heather,

Please tell us where you have discussed the downfall of the Whig Party or any other party. I know I saw it or heard it on your podcast, but don't know where to look for it now, and I would like to see it again. Thank you.

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For sheer malice and treachery, I think Trump is in his own category.

Interesting perspective on Arron Burr, who was little more than a footnote in the history I learned.

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Oh my stars, J L, you simply MUST hie yourself to TKTS and treat yourself to HAMILTON!

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Loved Hamilton on Broadway. Plus I watched it in full on YouTube. It’s a lot to take in. The Hamilton cast also played at the White House for President Obama. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-hamilton-cast-perform-at-the-white-house-229328/

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My sole bucket-list item, Irenie? Seeing Hamilton on Broadway in New York City. (“You could have been anywhere in the world tonight, and you came to New York City!)

Great link — thanks for including it. I subscribe to Disney Plus just to be able to watch the musical whenever I get the bug. Brilliant work. A truly inspired piece of American Art.

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An historical day today…we move forward. The brave work is important as an accounting looms. We can rejoice. A great wrongdoing is being resolutely addressed. Our democracy is strong like granite, oak, the ocean and the stars that spangle our beautiful flag. God Bless America.

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And let us not forget that if Trump is in Oval Office he will give more outrageous tax cuts to the filth rich basically “starving” the rest of the country. I ask, will the “middle class” survive? And what about those in low income situations – will they sink further down?

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I think it was Venezuela that was one of the richest countries in the world until they went down the dictatorship road. We have to fight this beast. We have to fight it now and every single day going forward.

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Exactly right., the point being tyrannical control of our lives for the benefit of the very few. Considering the role of the ultra-far right Evangelicals, they will invade and seize our public and daily life. We have a lot to defend here, and a great deal to lose.

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Rather make permanent the temporary tax cuts set to expire.

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Your question reminds me of passages in Stranger In a Strange Land, especially the scene where the lady hanging her washing out on the line hids our hero from the police. I don't want this to be our future.

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Tax breaks, diminution of responsibilities, and subsidies for the ultra-rich, "Austerity", exploitation, and heavy-handed control for the serfs. Been that, done that, and from what I understand, it sucked. I think that under the fol-de-rol of Reaganomics, I think that was always the plan.

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Linda, we must not let that happen

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The Republicans do not have a soul. Putin said as much about himself. Don't let's go down this road.

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They sold it for power. Classic.

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The Biden's?

Millions in cash from the Ukrainians, Chinese, Romanians? All funneled through the idiot son. Why would let a crack addict become the bag man?

The CLinton's were worse. Seeking influence through their charity. Funny

how the money dried up once she left office

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No soul?

Where is the democratic soul? There is nothing a leftist loves more than virtue signaling. Its all narcissism.

Looking at the polling. Americans aren't in love with open borders, inflation, culture wars, grooming children, & Ukraine.

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Tell the Pope. He should take responsibility for this unholy problem. Roughly half of the Republicans are Catholic. Did you know that the French Constitution has a clause protecting aethiesm?

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I hope the NYT article doesn’t encourage Judge Cannon to delay the trial in Florida.

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Conservatives....

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Cannot remember having a conversation about politics since 2009 when I didn't plead with someone to stop using the term conservative. The so-called conservatives have been radicals since Newt. While I'm pretty sure I've had zero effect, I keep hearing and reading the term, I persist.

Yeah, this quirk makes me super fun at parties.

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Agreed. I call them far right radical regressives and yes, they are fascists.

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They are ultra-extremist reactionaries, more than radical regressives (except intellectually, ethically, morally, IMO).

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So, what term would you use? Fascist comes to my mind.

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I like radical best because it is the opposite of their claims and describes the positions and policies accurately.

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I see "radical" as another largely misappropriated word, that literally means "root", source of "radish". Technically, the work of Galileo was "radical", as was the politcal philosophy of the US Constitution. It is a fundamental change, but that can be good or bad, but somehow "radical" has become synonymous with excessive "extreme" or fanatical. Technically a responsible response to climate change will need to be genuinely radical, but I suppose I wouldn't call it that.

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"Dictatorial."

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MAGA’S

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Conservatives they ain't. I think a more accurate term is 'reactionaries' though I'm afraid too few Americans may know what that means.

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Anti-Americans and traitors works for me.

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it's a difficult argument since words eventually mean, conversationally, whatever people think they mean, although I see value in challenging misapplied words chosen to mask treachery. Yes, I see a "conservative" small "c" approach as a compatible and sometimes necessary compliment to a bold, innovative one. I look to science as an example. What we really mean by "Conservative" in the political sense is "authoritarian".

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That is so right, Lee. And correct.

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JL Graham

And we the people must make sure they lose their campaigns. Each of us that read these things I’d guess do so with disbelief. That disbelief, that belief that it could not really happen must not be allowed to lull us into complacency. We must Vote and we must convince those around us to pay attention and to vote also

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Do they even HAVE souls, J L? Holy crap....

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'Alito and Thomas Write Opinion Declaring That Yachts Are People'

'WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have stirred controversy by co-authoring a Supreme Court opinion declaring that yachts are people.'

'The sweeping opinion, which yachts’-rights organizations immediately hailed as “long overdue,” grants the luxury vessels the unlimited ability to entertain government officials on their decks in order to gain political influence.'

“For decades, yachts have been tireless in their struggle to be treated like human beings,” Harland Dorrinson, the president of the National Council on Equality for Boats, said. “For them, this victory represents the end of a long, hard regatta.” (Satire, NewYorker)

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Opinion/ Samuel Alito

Also, I Shouldn't Have To Disclose That I Had Sex With A Salmon (The Onion)

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Nothing like a little salmon tartare!

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We can’t lose our sense of humor!

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You scared me this morning Fern. I was reading in a hurry and kind of skimmed the first part of your post, then I got to the bottom and realize you were quoting satire from the New Yorker. Heather's letter this morning really is scary in a real way. (Unfortunately it is real that Alito and Thomas just make stuff and it isn't satire.)

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Well, if corporations are people. . . .

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Yes. No accountability. I’m not sure it was revered Chief Joseph who put the red light on with his remarks about Corporations and what they truly represented.

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Quoting Andy Borowitz, scared you this morning, Dave!? Scroll down a bit more, and you'll find me with Abraham Lincoln and HCR. Give it a go. Cheers!

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No Fern, I was just surprised to see you quote satire, not really scared. I so enjoy and respect your commitments because they are so well researched. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this.

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Thank you, Dave. I love that picture of you at work, such a 'damn' good machine! Yes, sir.

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Thank God for the New Yorker! The humorists always have their fingers on the pulse.

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Carol, what about Andy Borowitz, he wrote what you just read? He created The Borowitz Report, a satirical news column...', 'for which he won the first-ever National Press Club award for humor.' It was acquired by The New Yorker in 2012. His two most recent books were both best-sellers: “The 50 Funniest American Writers,” and “An Unexpected Twist,” … His latest book is “Profiles in Ignorance: How America’s Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber”. How does that title strike you?

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"Profiles in Ignorance" should be mandatory reading for anyone with a pulse. And it will be out in paperback soon, I believe with added material (the clown car).

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Yes, I am very familiar with Borowitz and I appreciate him greatly. I had just read what you posted in The New Yorker online. (Have been reading The New Yorker throughout 45's reign and its humor maintained my sanity!) But I have not read books by Borowitz. My daughter and brother have also recommended them to me. It's just a matter of not having enough time to read all I want to read.

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Maybe that's a typo, but just in case: Borowitz

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It was a typo. Thanks, David.

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Strikes me as a reason to take another trip to the book store. LOL

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This crap has been going on since they declared that Corporations are citizens, which was bogus then and remains bogus now. I think I'd better take a break from writing because I think I might give myself a heart attack and that won't help. Onward and out with the greedy bastards.

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AMEN ! Susan ! , MAMMONITIES !!

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Yes, I'm taking more than a break now. Thank you for your healthy leadership, Susan.

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I agree and this letter is especially scary and of course, we have a troll or two taking all the air out of the thread. I am going outside to continue picking blueberries and some other things in my garden.

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Hi Fern, I just read the Horowitz Report. Very interesting & funny. And how much more insane can the SCOTUS get declaring yachts are people. I like this part: “The public should note that yacht owners have traditionally referred to their boats as ‘she.” Ans “Given that, this is the most pro-female opinion this Court is likely to issue.”

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LOVE IT

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Hi LINDA. You read a short 'news satire' by Andy Borowitz. It was labeled as a satire at the end. If you scroll down a little from that post, I wrote a little about Borowitz. He has a regular series called 'The Borowitz Report' in the New Yorker Magazine, from which that was taken.

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Thanks, as always, for the morning Borowitzer! ;D

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Fern McBride (NYC). Borowitz’s sarcasm scares me - some days it seems like it could be true

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Brilliant

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How close are we to where Germany was in the early 30s? If this does not wake up Americans we are doomed. Who said it can't happen here? Wake up folks the train is leaving the station.

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There is a book by Victor Klemperer titled "I Will Bear Witness 1933-1941, A Diary of the Nazi Years". It has the slow creeping feeling of horror that our current days are like. I hope that Heather's writings are not viewed similarly in the future. Hopefully, people wake up and realize how much they truly value is at risk as the MAGAs march toward dictatorship.

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Also revealing: In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson. Novelistic history/narrative nonfiction look at Berlin, 1933. “Speaks volumes about why the world did not recognize the grave threat posed by Hitler until Berlin and Europe were awash in blood and terror.”

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Also read this book, and I agree. I worry that too many try to normalize this as politics. What Trump and the right wing are doing right now is trying to normalize dictatorship. There are many fools who would believe that it will benefit them.

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Dave ! The Problem, is There are TOO MANY, of MANKIND, Slugging around, " in the MATRIX !! PEOPLE, with ANY Sense, Have Got to WAKE UP !! ( I guess, All of the COFFEE, has Boiled Away, so that Great Aroma, HAS VAPOURIZED ! )

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yes, bought this book several years ago. A must read for us now as we swim through this sea of "slow creeping feeling of horror".

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Harvey, here in Fla the train is long gone. We are already a fascist State, thanks to the ambition, poor judgement and retaliatory politics of our Governor and his brainwashed legislature. Steve Scmidt calls him "Trump lite".....imo, worse, in most ways ( except nowhere near the crazily, destructive charismatic personality of tfg).

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And, on the way to Auschwitz ... if we do not take focused actions (plural) now. Many paths not the least of which is the legal vulnerability of "Project 2025". I will update comments through 2023 & 2024 when on point to this Community.

One starting point is NYT's 7/17/23 "Trump & Allies to Forge Plans to Increase Power in 2025" by stalwarts Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman & Charlie Savage. NYT subscribers the can "Gift " the article for FREE to anyone.

Monday Breaking Update: Jack Smith served a "Target Letter" on Donald J. Trump on tfg's actions to overturn the 2020 Election last Sunday. Note that tfg sat on tne Target Letter for more than 24 hours. tfg also got 96 hours notice to appear at Jack Smith's Grand Jury. Trump will not appear obviously which is a Target's right. The Indictment of Trump is likely before 7/31 as I have posted before.

I checked out "Project 2025" whose official propaganda uses the phrase "Presidential Transition Project" (sic). In case their message is unclear to anyone as of today, in their corporate logo "Project 2025" the numbers "25" aar in red. These are continuing overt acts of Sedition in my legal opinion.

Recall that Jack Smith uses "Speaking Indictments" where every word is backed by FRE admissible evidence. I now suspect Mr. Smith will beat my projected date of 7/31.

TODAY's UPDATE: Per Professor Joyce Vance the Michigan AG has applied for the indictment & arrest of the MichiganfrsuMichiganfrsudMichiganfrselectors.

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BRYAN ! Liked Your Quote ; On the Way, to Auschwitz ! Thats EXACTLEY ! What will Come of US !, IF, the MAGGOTS ! Gain Control ! I wanted to Comment , Sooner, But I did not want to Offend Our Jewish Brothers and Sisters ! ,OR ALL of the other Mankind, that SUFFERED That ABSOLUTE ATROCITY ! It is AMAZING ! , that GOD! , has not REPENTED, for a SECOND TIME ! in the PROCESS, of Creating Mankind !!

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Mark, months ago, I posted the details of my visit decafes ago to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC on LFAA. With one exception, I spent nearly 3 hours exclusively on tne TOP floor of the Museum where the history, photographs, exhbits, museum artifacts & the curator's written details submerged me into deep dive into the 1930-1939 historical period during which there were scores of forshadowing events including attacks on disabled people, gay folks, social democrats, Jews & the blocking of refugees from coming to the United States. In the esrly 1930's the train arrival stations from Germany into Paris were very busy when Hitler assumed the Chancelllor position, the first formal step into the Holocaust during which tens of millions of people died including more than 15 million Russians at the western fronts to Stalingrad.

On my way out of the DC Museum I stopped to see famous color footage of the WW II liberation of one of the death camps. Absolutely never again.

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Bryan, I have not been to One, of the *Shoah*. Museums, or to the "WALL"!

I'M an Emotional Soul, & I'm sure

It Would Rip Me APART !

YES, I've done much Reading on the Holocaust, & It's just UNBELIEVABLE

ON the HATRED, and EVIL, THAT OUR

JEWISH Brothers & Sisters, AND !

SO MANY, of EVERYBODY ELSE,

Had to go Through .

My Service. In *NAM*, & the

MENTAL DAMAGE, HAS BEEN UGLY,

BUT! my REDEEMER. LIVES !

AND True HEALING, is so EVEDANT !

GOD BLESS YOU ! and Your Family !

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Any way to get this article here.....any subscribers willing to send a "gift"?

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I believe Muck Rack ( muckrack.com) carries just about everything Maggie writes under some sort of republication rights with NYT.

Confirmed, the NYT article is the 4th Link down at Muck Rack ... :)

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Looks like this has a paywall too?

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Honestly, I do not know but, note Link: "Learn about Muck Rack" ...

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Hyperbole.

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What train? There are no f***ing trains. Wish there had been during my 36-hour airport ordeal at the end of an otherwise pleasant vacay. A train would have been a nice option!

PS: I get your point--just had to grind my favorite ax a little

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Yes Harvey, it ain't funny.

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Yes, WAKE THE FOLK UP!

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Doomed? That's true if you frighten people. Instead, you have to motivate them. I don't consider this country doomed because of what I read, but from people who spew fear on these comment threads. Come on, buck up.

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That’s right Marycat. We’re not doomed- history will repeat itself only if we let it. We, the people, can’t let it happen. We act!

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We read a lot of polemic that feels to me like it's as distorted as some of the crap the right wing spews. It's words. Nothing has actually happened. I read just now that Trump is whining again, in a long verbal vomit on Truth Social, saying he got a target letter from the grand jury investigating the Jan 6 insurrection. It was so bonkers that no sane human being would take him seriously. I am trusting the American people to keep this manipulative piece of crap out of the WH. I can't do anything else. I'm not worried about it because I am trusting Jack Smith, not freaking out over Trump's ranting and raving. Our government is a good and strong one.

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Sadly, Trump’s whine-song is like the siren’s call to the sailors who were driven mad by it. There are a not insignificant number of Americans who totally buy into his schtick and bow down to him as some kind of savior (so so so hard to wrap my head around that!). Others who have a radically different view of what they want this country to be (those mostly in the shadows surrounding him) and see him as a useful tool to move this country administratively (Legislative, Judicial & Executive…and civil service) significantly to right. Like Toni Morrison said “when someone shows you who they are, believe them”—so I take them at their word what vision they see. Maybe a term that combines autocracy, kakistocracy & oligarchy to describe their philosophy. It will be all hands on deck to thwart this & is no time to fiddle with so-called 3rd parties, Dem challengers, etc.—Joe’s been doing a damn fine job given his constraints IMHO, let’s keep rowing this direction with sure and strong strokes at the oar.

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https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/favorability/donald-trump/

I take polls with a huge grain of salt, but 56% of Americans have a negative opinion of Trump. Favorability hasn't budged and is in the low 40's.

We wander into the anxiety forest when we worry about what hasn't happened. Trust Jack Smith.

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I'm stealing the Rump's "whine-song". And you are right - and it's SO HARD to figure out why anyone would find his words and his actions to be worthy of giving more than two seconds on, or taking the least bit seriously, or respectable in the least. I just can't wrap my mind around this yahoo's appeal! (I mean, I get it that some, perhaps many, are in it for the money and whatever fame is incurred in being in the orbit of the Rump - at least until he's in prison, or under it - when "fame" converts to "notoriety" - but those can't be in the majority, can they?) And if they do feel this way about the Rump, HOW can their brainwashing be converted into rational thought? This must be the ultimate goal, because as long as there are many people thinking/believing in the Rump, the American Dream will remain out of reach for some other people - and that must not be.

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Marycat, I love this. Buck up we must and intimidating people is just what bullies try to do. We can and must do better. I'm tired of being horrified and dismayed. I'm pissed off and fed up and ready to fight back against the zombie monsters.

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We are there. We were close in 2012.

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The "slow walking" of the two serious legal issues Trump faces, the Mar-a-Lago documents case and the Georgia interference case, pose the most urgent threat we now face (IMHO). If the DOJ and The Georgia courts don't bring these cases to a head before we get too far into 2024, I fear Trump will never be held accountable. In that event, all bets are off.

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I agree that these trials need to happen, and happen soon, but even if he were to be found guilty of all of the possible accusations, do any of us really believe that it would change many MAGA, or for that matter many Republican, votes? On Sunday’s Jack podcast - which I would encourage you all to check out - the point was made that if a candidate were, in fact, innocent of the crimes with which they had been charged, they would want the speediest trial possible so that they would be exonerated well before the election. Interesting and obvious point.

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Unfortunately, it seems apparent now, Betsy that it will take a long time for the MAGA devotees to come to their senses...if ever. Some will completely ruin their own lives, serve jail terms and even worse, suffer deep personal humiliation from the error of their ways. It was tragic indeed for our fledgling nation when thousands of Tories left for England at the end of the American Revolution but things turned out quite well in the end. The majority of Americans will move forward and our country will keep becoming, as it always has and must.

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KD, unfortunately there is no “England” for the MAGAt’s to flee to!!! Hmmm, maybe offer free one-way tickets to Türkiye? It is puzzling to me that they see themselves as the “true Patriots” and all others as traitors….seems like fundamental differences in the vision and belief of what the USA stands for (well, the ideal that it is working toward anyway). The script has totally been flipped and is amazing (as in horrifying) to watch it unfold & what they are saying out loud, tho’ I think those w/ their hands on the levers of power & money are quietly trying to nurture their vision by financially supporting the MAGA-supporting groups. My hope is that despite great efforts to prevent it (voting rights repression, gerrymandering, et.), the majority will rise up and put down this creeping putsch.

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I should also have added Hungary to the list of far-right-sliding “democracies”. Many in the current Republican Party seem to be smitten, especially, with Orban & Hungary.

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Yes, I think you’re right, Barbara.

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I would very much like to share your optimism.

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Hang in there…the pathway will continue to be filled with twists and turns. E Pluribus Unum

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I fear LeMoine could be right

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