779 Comments

"and generally sounded like someone you wouldn’t want to sit near at a restaurant—let alone be President of the United States."

Exactly.

"Vance doubled down on his denigration of women who have not given birth as “childless cat ladies” but assured voters he has nothing against cats."

Just ladies.

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JL, he just has something against any childless ladies whom he feels have worked against God’s plan. Interestingly, he expresses no similar rancor against men who don’t produce children or fail to support them once they’re born.

His idea that the father (notice that he doesn’t mention the mother) should have voting power proportional to the number of children produced doesn’t address the issue of which children count: all children produced or only those produced in a heterosexual marriage? Also, if your wife leaves due to spousal abuse, do you lose your extra votes? Do you get those extra votes for all children produced (including miscarriages) or only those living at the time of the election?

Oh, wait, if 45 gets his way, the discussion of how many votes a father gets would be moot…

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Weird, unlawful, misogynistic, prejudicial against everything America stands for. Well, duh. He is the perfect VP for chump, bat-Schitt crazy

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And without much of any personal power or big money backers (besides Thiel, who likely just wanted to own a rightwing radical Senator) pore ol' Vance would be the perfect scapegoat to offer as sacrifice if necessary.

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My thought too T L.

I was thinking yesterday about dumpty staying home in his jammies, as Lawrence O'Donnell suggested. And after Kamala wipes the floor with him, will he crawl away?

Never ever.

The orange Cocksplat and the Couch Stain make such an incredible pair. May they drown together in sinking Florida.

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Hopefully they will make it a threesome and take desantis with them!

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"sink" baby.., SINK!

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Is it possible for them to sink lower still?

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Jen, thank you for giving me a name for JD, miserable misogynist (among other awful things) that he is. He will certainly be the scapegoat and I am going to say when, not if, death star loses.

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Along with Democrats. How dare they oppose God's mandate that those with the most money win?

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LMAO 'couch stain' had me choking on my smoothie!

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I know I noticed and laughed, too. If you want a prolonged spell of giggles, chuckles and great belly laughs, go over to Jay Kuo's Substack and check out this Saturday's "Xeets and Giggles". In his weekly research, Mr. Kuo collects any particularly memorable tweet, or truth or meme and puts them all together in a great post for Saturday laughs. This Saturday's post had plenty of couch memes and was hysterically funny.

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We can hope that if DJT loses the 2024 Election, he will accept that decision gracefully... I doubt it... He has already said he won't... He hasn't even accepted 2020's loss... He has already promised a Civil-War is case of a loss... Let's Hope For The Best...

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Hope, vote, and quote

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We will be prepared. We know what peaceful means to trumpers. The National Guard should be on full alert.

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May they be seen for what they are, which is worse.

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That’s what repubs are wont to do. How many have trod that path…

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I may be unfair here, but my impression is that narcissistic Trump would betray anyone; even his own family, if he believed it served his personal agenda.

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JL - I think that’s a fair statement. Fits his mental illness diagnoses perfectly.

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I am worried that President Trump will replace Vance. BUMMER.

"He’s also the perfect scapegoat for a Trump campaign that has foundered since Kamala Harris became the apparent Democratic nominee.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/7/26/2258308/-JD-Vance-is-a-gift-to-Democrats

"The pull of blaming it all on Vance and moving on to Trump Vice President No. 3 is likely to be irresistible."

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Firing people is his shtick, but this is more complicated.

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Another turd in the punchbowl. Quite the Party. But, they're drinking that kool-aid.., one can only hope that it takes them out.

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They resemble the Jones cult more every day

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Just thinking that yesterday.

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jD Chilcult, that has been my thought for months, this trump cult reminds me of the Jones cult and that did not work out well for them, sadly, sadly, sadly.

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Delusional cults often stray into violence. Some harm themselves, some destroy others. Jones did both.

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But did current candidates even consider the possibility that they were being the suckers and losers. None I know.

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Chump & Dump!

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Tee shirt time.

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Nicely put, J.D.; from Dr Cox Richardson: "but [Vice President Harris's] campaign has taken the approach of referring to [President Trump] and J.D. Vance as weirdos." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAoGf84-3A This is just the kid of push-back I have been hoping for. Laugh these bozoes off of the bus! Nothing sends macho mouths as quickly into comedic conniptions as laughing at them.

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It’s the kind of funny that will cause us to cry if we fail in meeting the challenge

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jD. You got that right in target.

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Fits like OJ’s glove should have

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The only problem is that if trump wins (if there is a god, it won't happen) Vance will take over if trump dies in office. There will be no respite. It may even be worse.

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The money and Putin will rule either way. Can’t get worse than that. God doesn’t vote, we have free will to be stupid, ignorant and oh so human

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votes for embryos? Oh wait - they want to prohibit IVF. Votes for sperm count?

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Yes, right now in this country embryos have more rights than women do.I also agree with those who are mentioning men’s roles in all of this.Childless men are contributing nothing to society but men are never considered in the children equation ,just women.

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Zygotes have more rights than mothers, or their delivered kids.

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"Every sperm is sacred, every sperm is great, if a sperm is wasted God will get irate ..." Monty Python

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Perfect. Zygote is potential life and so is sperm. We need sperm to have the right to vote and there are a lot more of them. Let's register sperm to vote.

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And unlike eggs, more are made each day. (Of course this is sarcasm.)

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"Every sperm is sacred, every sperm is great, if a sperm is wasted, God will be irate." So, start saving your ejaculate!

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lol

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Make it simple: One dollar, one vote. -- $COTUS

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a hundred years ago, and less, mothers would check their teenage male beds for any telltale signs of sperm. For a lively lad, that could be close to a billion sperm. Geez. Nutz. I think most of this comes from a traditional austerity Christian outlook, thankfully mostly a past thing. Even Ann Landers was ok on masterbation. Besides, its generally irrepressible.

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Good lord, I have four younger brothers, don’t think my mom was that crazy. She was too busy to be nuts with eight young’uns

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lol my mother, as far as I know, wasn't a bed checker either. She never got beyond being a baptist "adherent"... not sure why she didnt want to be baptised.

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And don't tell me "Christian" men don't do it.

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mostly impossible

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Dunno. Masturbation put hair on my knuckles. Now everybody knows.

😯🙏🤔⚖️😊🚀😉

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I have a popular medical guide book from the early 20th Century which ascribes multiple conditions of mental and physical ill health to masturbation, and advises supervising a pubescent kid 24 hours a day if necessary. For real.

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lol Ned, I don't think so! Dont overdo it, end up with repetitive strain injury.

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‘Irrepressible.” Haha

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for the most part, for most men, that was my personal experience. I do know a guy who refused to masterbate, a staunch traditional Catholic, but he also had OCD. Take a poll on how Catholic priests manage....

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Marcia, a perfect quote to describe the religious railing about wasting sperm in self satisfaction. The Church has long known the power of sex....just think about those guys sitting on pillars in the desert or in caves in Egypt, thinking about women day and night I bet.

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Michele, or maybe about the guys sitting next to them?

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Or the goat next door. Or the dog running down the street. Or the sheep in the field over yonder. 😈😁

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LOL

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'Every sperm is sacred.' Remember that Monty Python song? It was a satirical statement against the Catholic Church that may well apply here. The video is easily found on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzVHjg3AqIQ&t=2s.

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As Uncle Toby suggests in Tristram Shandy, the repubs must begin by baptizing the sperm.

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He must be really pissed at all of the great sperm wasted on bed sheets.

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OMG! I'd forgotten that episode. Thanks for the ammunition.

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Good one.

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Perfect. Conception begins at erection, after all.

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Jen, you're on fire with your comments... 😂

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Exactly so.

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Oh shit, I'd be broke

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HA! LOVE THIS!!!

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Or impure thoughts.

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Why not? Makes perfect sense to me.

How far are we going to go on with this stupidness?

Robert🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😳🤪

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Now you are onto the problem. Irresponsible ejaculators!

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Yes!!!! Think of all of the potential babies that are being destroyed by that one selfish act! lol

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'Ware the couch.

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It should be banned like abortions are!

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"votes for embryos?"

Nothing new. Heard it floated years ago at CPAC (CSpan.) Along with a claim that the Second Amendment was intended to protect the unborn.

This year an RNC speaker was antiabortion activist Abby Johnson who has advocated for "a head-of-household voting system that has historically barred women and people of color from casting ballots." Saying "In godly households that would be the husband."

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🤢

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Colorado had fetal personhood on the ballot in 2008, the Obama year. I was exit polling that year, and the crap I saw at the polls was shocking. Grateful almost all ballots by mail or drop box in Colorado now. I think the entire morning vote at the polling place I watched was lost due to a hard drive crash and internet issue that kept the location from downloading the vote.

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Well, that WOULD result in fewer votes for the Trampler and the sidekick, so there's that.

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I would love it if every man had to give a sample of his sperm, to see how many sperm he had in an ejaculation, and this number became public.

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I'd be happy if the gummint kept a database of every man's dna. So we could garnish his wages til death for irresponsible ejaculstion.

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LOL. Jen. Everyone here is really on a roll.

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Or not supporting the children a girl or woman must birth.

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In TX, if you rape a woman and impregnate them, there is about a 2% chance of being charged and convicted of rape.

When my daughter was born they registered her for a SS#, and took her footprint. This was in 1994. Why not take everyone's DNA at birth, or maybe some states are already doing that?

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It it being reported that sperm counts are plunging; possibly due to industrial chemicals permeating out current environment.

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Spilling one's seed is verboten in their almighty old testament. I wonder how we can enforce a ban on ejaculations?

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"Spilling one's seed is verboten in their almighty old testament."

Not so.

1. The Torah does not have any negative commandment concerning 'spilling one's seed.' The misconception comes from a misreading of the story of Onan. Whose sin was refusing to fulfill the social obligation of levirate marriage.*

2. The 'Old Testament' is certainly not almighty among the Evangelicals and Catholics who are bent on imposing their religious creed on civil society. Otherwise instead of targeting health care providers they'd target purveyors of bacon cheeseburgers.

*"Onan[a] was a figure detailed in the Book of Genesis chapter 38,[1] as the second son of Judah who married the daughter of Shuah the Canaanite. Onan had an older brother Er and a younger brother, Shelah as well.

After being commanded by his father, Judah, to perform his duty as a husband's brother according to the custom of levirate marriage with the late Er's wife Tamar, Onan instead refused to perform his duty as a levirate and "spilled his seed on the ground whenever he went in" because "the offspring would not be his", and was thus put to death by Yahweh.[2] This act is detailed as retribution for being "displeasing in the sight of Lord".[3][4] Onan's crime is often misinterpreted to be masturbation but it is universally agreed among biblical scholars that Onan's death is attributed to his refusal to fulfill his obligation of levirate marriage with Tamar by committing coitus interruptus.[5][6]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onan

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My impression is that many aspects of the Bible are all but universally misinterpreted.

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Just like the shit that Trump says: some love it, some revile it

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The bible makes for great reading. The King James Bible, mainly the Old Testament, is literature essential for a western education. Believing in a God is not necessary. It's the backbone of a huge amount of our literature. Every writer used to know the Bible. 100 years ago , in much of America, it was the only book in the house.

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Ty lin!

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prohibition didn't work out so well. The failure rate here is about 95%+

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A stopcock?

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Perfect!

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How about what will happen when "men waste their seeds"?!!!

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It was mentioned that sperm would be counted as human life also. Every pre-adolescent boy and horny guy would be arrested for murder. I understand that these IVF is in a freezer or some sort of refrigeration. What happens when the power goes out? and there is no generator?

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They intend to take away women's right to vote. These impotent men blame women for their lack of being able to succeed against us, therefore they need to strip us of our rights and keep us barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen where they think we belong. Yes women belong in the house, and senate and the White House!

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What about the illegitimate children you fathered and refuse to support? Do you get to vote for them too?

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Jen, I would love to asked my only surviving brother this question. Before we stopped speaking to each other, I was contacted by a man who was searching for his father (we share DNA). I emailed my brother and never received an answer. He’s a MAGAman and I think it’s kind of funny that he doesn’t realize his secret is out, thanks to family members on both sides being part of the same DNA family network.

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Mary. It is all so insane, to believe that someone could think like jd let alone be a candidate for vice president. All so SICK!

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Kamala's campaign is correct to call them weirdos. And that's mild, IMHO.

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Because of deadbeat fathers the government has become abba.

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Yes you never hear anything about the males in the anti-abortion battle. It's ALL about women..... The GOP is dominated by males, and scripture is plain speak on that one.

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Bottom line - Vance is an opportunist and likely does not believe all the sh-t spewing from his mouth. More of the “say anything, do anything” to seize power. JD faux-billy sees Trump as the vehicle to power.

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Do you suppose all of his anti-women rhetoric comes from his childhood experience of his mother?

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Wonder how he feels about Paul's statement in the New Testament:

Corinthians 7:7-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. So I say to those who aren't married and to widows—it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.

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In actuality, if there is an admissions committee interview to get into heaven, I will have explaining to do for never marrying or having children. I believe that procreation, perhaps better stated as parenting, is a Xian duty.

But to condemn those who have chosen against it strikes me as proving a fundamental lack of charity. In any case, ¿is there not a deduction for dependents? I could see the level of deduction being elevated to a more realistic level, if that need be.

As to your other hypothetical, likely rhetorical questions, Mary, you nail it. It is a 'policy proposal' that Senator Vance knows will gain no traxion. Cynically does he say these things to throw red meat over the transom to M.A.G.A.s locked in a quarantining room.

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The other question is, do all women who've had children get this extra bonus, or just Christian women? Wouldn't giving non-Christian children extra votes "sully" the vote, in their eyes?

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J. Mil, as I read it, only the fathers get the extra votes.

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Actually I read 'people". But the question remains, would the children of POC or gay couples also afford the adults extra votes?

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Probably not gay fathers, unless they contributed their sperm. POC? I’m not sure whether they would need a white father to count (kind of like Clarence Thomas going after past Supreme Court decisions dependent on the 14th amendment except for Loving v. Virginia—which legalized his marriage to Gini).

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Best constructed comment EVER!

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I think fetal personhood definitely counts 🙄😳

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Hey, if corporate person-hood is a thing. Even a bottle of Mr. Clean.

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How would they spportion votes for miscarried or (horrors) aborted fetuses?

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Marge, I would expect that they would count the miscarriages the same as born babies who died after birth—one vote apiece. As for willfully aborted fetuses—those wouldn’t count because you’d be in jail and a felon.

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J L, he should be very afraid of ladies, very afraid. They are riled up and fired up, and ready to start taking back rights they have recently lost, as well as other rights which they may well lose given Vance's and others' rhetoric. Womentum, as I called it yesterday, and I'm here for it.

I see Vance as an albatross around the convicted felon''s neck, whose own naked misogyny should be enough to cause him to lose female voters, a majority of which has historically voted Republican. Vance is a distraction on the ticket, more newsworthy than CF45 himself, who must have buyer's remorse. Someone needs to post daily photographs of a head of lettuce. On a couch.

Meanwhile, mark your calendars, folks: the convicted felon's fate will be determined on September 6th, when a hearing will be held to consider whether the conviction in New York State should be overturned, given SCOTUS decision on presidential immunity a few weeks ago (*extremely* unlikely, from what I've read.) Sentencing will follow on September 18. Donold is scared to death, as he rightfully should be, for his days of reckoning are nearing. No wonder he's exhorting his followers to vote, and offering chilling words after: that they won't need to in four years because he'll have "fixed" everything.

Exactly, to use your word, J L.

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“A head of lettuce on a couch”

Brilliant. Just brilliant. 🤪

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Thanks GeorgeC.

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wait -- I missed that -- what's the quote from -- it's sooooo good!!

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A few years back, the UK was churning through Prime Ministers and one (whose name I don’t recall), was expected to last less time than it took for a head of lettuce to wilt. There was a website with a live camera on the head on lettuce (I think the lettuce lasted longer).

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Trump should tell Vance to just Shut Up!….. But, I hope he doesn’t because Vance is definitely dragging him down. Plus, doesn’t Vance look more “Presidential “? And, MUCH younger?

I’m really looking forward to how crazy this campaign (to keep him out of jail) is going to make him. I forecast seeing a real meltdown. We know what tffg is made of: jelly.

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It's difficult to imagine someone, anyone on earth, dragging Trump down. Where does one sink from rock bottom?

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DJT jr. And btw hasn't he been engaged to that strange looking lip-injected thing for several years now?

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Yikes, I say. Why do women do that shit to their lips? For men? To advertise (questionable) fellating skills?

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I had a chat w my PT about cosmetic surgery and she said she thought women did it for themselves, but her mom wouldn't. She'd had a tumor removed near her jaw and still couldn't feel her ear lobe, so why?

But the lip thing? It's gotta be for men. And your latter reason I think.

It looks so unnatural.

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"China Syndrome" One hundred and fifth circle of Hell.

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Those fat cheeks and low brow look Cro Magnon to me.

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Neanderthal comes to mind. Wouldn’t he and MTG make some pretty babies!? 🤢

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Adding to this:

(The Borowitz Report)—In a welcome piece of good news for the embattled vice-presidential nominee, a new poll released on Thursday shows that a hundred percent of likely Democratic voters favor JD Vance remaining on the GOP ticket.

Vance’s strong showing with Democratic voters stands in sharp contrast with his performance among Republicans, only 17 percent of whom support his continuing as nominee.

Among those Democrats surveyed, a hundred percent agreed with the statement “JD Vance should receive more airtime” while a hundred percent concurred with the statement “Just let JD be JD.”

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What are Donold Trumps made of? Hubris and spite and all things shite.

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“Donold” good one. You’re on a roll Doug!

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Someone should have told him before he got his ear nicked, "Duck Donold, Duck!"

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we are all feeling our oats this morning!

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And I’m so grateful for the humor and laughs. A good feeling for a change.

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Me too!

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There is now a meme using Donold. And of course, many about childless women and cats.

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And childless women and dogs.

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Thanks runragged (although I should have pointed out I stole that from someone else.)

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Well then, thanks for sharing!

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“Womentum” is also brilliant.

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“Womentum” I LOVE IT!!

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Thanks, Catherine!

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Doug, yes he should be afraid of ladies who right now are busy raising lots of money for Harris. I did smile about the head of lettuce on a couch. Every time he opens his mouth, it gets worse and he just doubles down. As I recall, and I may be wrong here, he had great praise for his mamaw who he described as one tough woman in his book.

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But he surely doesn’t want any more of those, based on his cultural positions.

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"I see Vance as an albatross around the convicted felon's neck" I have seen some potentially REALLY BAD news: Trump may drumpf Vance, as scorpions often do, and replace him with a calmer presence like that of Governor Burgum.

From a political essayist whom I trust, Mark Sumner of 'Daily Kos': "[Vance is] also the perfect scapegoat for a Trump campaign that has foundered since Kamala Harris became the apparent Democratic nominee.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/7/26/2258308/-JD-Vance-is-a-gift-to-Democrats

"The pull of blaming it all on Vance and moving on to Trump Vice President No. 3 is likely to be irresistible. Don’t be surprised if Vance gets to go home soon . . . while plotting how to punish people who don’t have children. No doubt, though, that he’ll miss getting first dibs at 'a ton of crap.'"

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Ned, to dump Vance, he’d have to admit that he (and his sons) were wrong to choose him in the first place—the time interval is too short to blame it on Vance changing, as he did Pence.

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Good point, Mary. Boy, oh boy, do I hope you are correct.

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Ned, I agree -- that's why I thought someone should have a daily series of a head of lettuce (on a couch, because that would be just perfect. Yeah, I don't see that ticket lasting -- he's attracting too much attention. And Vance just came out with a comment about his Indian wife: "Yes, she's not a white woman, but I love her". (Paraphrased)

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I wonder about Senator Vance's wife. She strikes me as lovely and refined. At times during the 'mock' Convention, Mrs Vance looked uncomfortable; perhaps the lure of proximity to power proves overwhelming. In her position, I would be worried about papa's effect on the little one's.

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I read that she was a Never Trumper, but then again, so was JD until he wasn't. That's about all I know of her.

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Yeah, to quote the great twentieth century German philosopher, Sergeant Schultz: "I know nothing!"

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Dolt 45 seems to focus on the "base". Vile is good.

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(quote) "Harris continually refers to Trump as a criminal in her speeches"

AND SHE SHOULD !!

Damn it, he's always going on about "sleepy Joe", Kamala should call the Orange Felon out for what he really is!

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Fatty?......

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Hm, might be interpreted as 'fat shaming'... But there's no denying he is orange, and there's also no denying he's a felon.

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He's orange by choice. Possibly he's also fat by choice, but possibly not - he doesn't even walk the golf course, fgs; it's possible he's too out of shape to do so. Ignorant, cruel, with the mental capacity, arrogance, emotional maturity and vocabulary of a 7th grader, fraud, sex pest, seditionist insurrectionist, defamer/liar - there's lots of things he is by choice, so we don't need to fat-shame him. Also orange.

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Definitely orange. But you forgot racist, malignant, narcissist, downright antisocial, horribly egocentric and machiavellist.

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You're right. We don't want to alienate 50% of the Americans who are obese.

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I don't love the "weird" label that her campaign is using. Felon and criminal is accurate. In some parts like the PNW, "weird" in urban language has a positive connotation and doesn't mean JD Vance at all, eg. "Keep Portland (Oregon) Weird"

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Agreed. That "weird" uncle might be a pretty cool uncle depending on the context... "Crazy" might be the better word, especially for Vance.

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Bigoted, antisocial, deranged, creepy, freaky, lacking empathy, are all better words than "weird". I like creepy, there's no positive connotation to the word and it is accurate.

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Agreed.

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Mean? Just say "no" to slugs.

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Cats, however, have a big grudge against him.

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Next, Vance and Trump will accuse cats of fraudulently voting.

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Just registered our cat to vote 9 times--nine lives you know!

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Good idea! I have 3 cats!

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Cats are actually little people with fur coats.

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Seems like it sometimes.

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But of course.

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Cats should count as voters, but their ladies get to vote for them.

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All of my Mountain cats are

on the warpath over JD

Vance remarks about cat

ladies. I am their caretaker

here and gave birth to 3

children. Stick it Vance.

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I have had children and I have had cats. I can tell you, cats are a better deal.

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Oh! You let the cat out of the bag.

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when I had the kids, I decided they had to have pets and we had dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, a horse...I wanted them to have unconditional love and they certainly weren't going to get it from me. I'm just not that stupid.

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In some ways. There are

about 20 Mountain cats on

average, most abandoned

as kittens and about 5 very

feral. There's another group

of 8-10 further down the

Mountain I can't reach in my

wheelchair and my landlord

takes care of. It can get a bit

rowdy at times and there are

no rooms to send them to, to

cool down.😁

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Mountain cats? Do they look different than regular cats? Like Norwegian Forest cats? Larger? My Mexican cat is an ordinary gray tiger with some siamese in him, I think, because he's very yappie and very smart. Left at my front door 11 years ago. From the very first minute he had no problem with my Doberman (another rescue). he was raised by a family with kids and dogs....He loves company.

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By necessary implication he hates cats, despite the denial. Pet lovers unite.

https://danielsolomon.substack.com/p/pet-owners-unite

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I think the whole GOP hates nature and wants to stamp it out , asap.

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We already know who doesn't like dogs... or probably cats either

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Or, people.

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Good point!

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If you cant sell it, get rid of it. The Reagan Administration proposed that species protection should be dependent on the presumed monetary value of the species in question.

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With only two of your own words you crystallized my thoughts and reactions…. Exactly.

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Doctor, what's with the red circle with a tiny red check mark followed by the words -- "Examined" ?

Do not answer with any personal information. Thank you in advance Ryan

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I cannot help but wonder, what's up with JD's wife? This is an educated, female, person of color, and she accedes to her husband's sanctimony and vile anti-woman propaganda? If true, she is yet another woman stabbing the rest of her sisters in the back, a la Nikki Haley.

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Women march mightily in the "pro life" movement. Curiously, a small? majority of younger females pre-high school grad lean that way. We all live in cultural bubbles, remember that, all. In certain parts of the world, it's women who perform female genital mutilation.

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Societal manipulation is common, is it not. You are right, best we remember that. Especially those who want all females to reject the hijab.

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Some women, and I know at least one, who is brilliant, will submit to the perceived superiority of the X and Y chromosome combo. They get their bluff in and even smart, accomplished women bow down. It’s interesting to watch up close. She admired my kind, smart husband and I once offered to trade for a week. I said first thing I would do is get one of those button badges that said “You have mistaken me for someone who cares what you think,” and put it on first day. Sadly, she declined and is still bowing down.

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Really strange. She's superior and she likes him???

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Felt this way from the first time we learned anything about her!

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I love the labeling them as 'weird' - so true and hopefully effective.

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Just to say. When I got that Walz fund raising email, his use of 'weird' jumped out at me. And I unsubscribed. In the 60s that label was used to attack a wide range of people who did not fit a typical self presentation in appearance or ideas. That was a lot of us. Historically it has been used to attack people who are not neurotypical - many of our most vulnerable fellow humans.

I don't think we should stoop to name calling. There are better - more accurate and less fraught -

ways to refer to our opponents.

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They could say “the ideas of the GOP are weird” or “the things the GOP and the P/VP ticket say are offensive, inappropriate, and screw-ball nutty” or “if the MAGA/GOP think america is so bad, why are they still living here? Stop shit-talking our country- shit talking is not policy"

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Lin, I'm not sure the word has quite the same connotation today. And I was around in the 60s, but don't remember that used as a pejorative -- which ISN'T to say it wasn't, and I'm sorry that it brings up those memories for you.

I just don't think younger folks (or even those more senior) associate it that way.

I wish I could "opt out" of receiving fund-raising texts -- "Stop2End" just makes them used a different number.

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I donated to Liz warren and the texts from Dem. candidates from all over the country came in...until I gave up that cell number. Due to that, I stopped donating. I thought isn't there a way to send cash??? But, when I donated to Actblue for Harris, they didn't require a number.

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Do you have a checking account? I send checks, and don't give out my cell number,ever!

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Actually....that's a good idea. I just checked my promotions email file and already have dozens of Kamala emails ...I really don't want them. It feels like getting beaten over the head. ....Checks sent from Mexico might make it by Christmas.......

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Absolutely!

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If you think labeling opponents as 'weird' is a tactical error, then please take a moment to let the DNC et al know.

https://democrats.org/contact-us/

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Thank you. I will. And, I have a some other things I want them to hear.

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This is well-intended, but I can’t help but think of the old phrase about bringing a penknife to a gunfight.

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Sometimes metaphor obscures rather than illuminates.

What we want to do is bring facts and decorum to a political debate.

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True, but this isn't one of those times.

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He's orange by choice. Also by choice: ignorant, cruel, with the mental capacity, arrogance, emotional maturity and vocabulary of a 7th grader, fraud, sex pest, seditionist insurrectionist, defamer/liar, convicted felon (although probably not by choice!) - there's lots of things he is by choice, so we don't need to call names.

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He gets away with being a (whatever) because of $$$$$

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I agree with lin. I am so tired of the name calling. I do not want our candidates to stoop to that level. It is a MAGA tactic that we should not replicate.

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But they are, it’s truth in packaging, not slanderous vitriol.

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Simply speaking truth-calling him a convicted felon-is all that should be needed. Should….what is wrong with MAGAs??????????????????????????

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Cats know how to get revenge, so do their mama’s and some cat dads that I know. Chump is not the only one who can pay back.

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They can be catty about it.

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Sure can, I have an ornery one who I don’t cross

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Painting tRump and Vance as wierdos and someone you would not want to sit next to in a restaurant let alone be president and VP, is the key to winning presidential elections. Presidential elections are usually beauty contests where the uninformed, misinformed and 'undecided' voter bases their vote on who they like more and who they might have a beer with. If the beauty contest theory holds up this election will be a slam dunk. But we must all do everything we can to make this happen.

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It is clear that the "GOP" is no longer a respectable political party. They have no decency, just for starters.

“Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians…. Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote."

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As a childless cat lady, I am watching JD Vance pry his foot out of his mouth. Waiting for the Catwoman memes 🤣

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They should use that scene in the batman movie that featured Catwoman (can't recall the name of the film) looking up and 'meowing' innocently after wreaking havoc.

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As, hopefully, the self destruction of the TRUMPLICAN CULT continues at record speed.

Robert🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😄👍

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If it is to be done, it is better that it be done quickly. We may be able to help them with that.

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Quite obviously, Vance's "cat" is clearly a twist of his tongue for the word 'cougar', which is quite well established as a way to decribe (older!) women who prey on younger men in an effort to satisfy their more prurient " animal instincts"... hahahhahaaaaa. Folks.. as we can easily see, Vance is a perfict fit for that MAGA lunatic fringe. Perhaps Vance has had a bad experience in the backseat with Bowbear and EMpty Greene? Yeahh.., definitely a wierdo.

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Specifically childless women, no matter the circumstance-because, I guess in his mind, it’s all women can contribute to society….

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Contributions to society ((as well as harms) come in endless forms.

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It looks like he just made another bleeding hole in his foot!

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Pretty repulsive stuff. I have no children and I do not like cats. Glad to see you in a post-position there, *J.L. (OOO000ops a fraudulent slip; originally vandalized the comment with 'J.D." (sick or sick; I do not know.🤭🤫😉)

As to Dr Cox Rchardson's letter: written elsewhere.

Well, I humbly thank President Donald Trump and and Senator J.D. Vance; I thank these visionaries out my personal patriotism. They have brought out, in the boldest possible relief, the higher voice of a higher wisdom spoken humbly by an Elder: "America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division." https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5125673/user-clip-presaident-bidens-departure-grace#

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Sorta backward but also into peril-infested uncharted waters. We are in new territory on many fronts, anthropogenic worldwide climate changes being just being the biggest elephant in the room. There are more.

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So, Trump made it very clear: vote for him and you'll never have the privilege of voting again. He will make your decisions for you. Ugh!!

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While Trump speaks As a fascist Dictator and how he would run the country when he’s elected (which he never will be) to do so you have to have the military on your side. He’s never had the military on his side and he never will.

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But Joyce, he may very well have the military on his side. He said a couple days ago that the generals should be told by NASCAR drivers and successful football coaches how to prosecute a war.

If we survive this, present-day observers as well as future generations will ponder how such a man (a failure in everything else in life) was able to get away with his crimes and anti-American beliefs and sway so many people into buying red hats and autocratic BS.

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Please don't mention NASCAR drivers. My Congressman who seems to have gone off the rails (Jared Golden D-ME-2) voted with the Republicans yesterday to condemn what the administration has done at the southern border.

What the fuck did Trump do for four years at the border. He promised to hire 15,000 additional agents. When he left office there was less than 1,000 new agents and it cost us over $100,000 to hire each agent and even more to train them. He build his lousy wall that any 12 year old with a saws-all could breach and they have -- over 5,000 times. But he did separate children from their parents and put them all in cages. That was really a nice look.

And yet, the Republicans constantly rail on Biden for not securing the Southern border.

Anyway, Golden's opponent is a washed-up former NASCAR driver. And apparently that scares Golden. Ugh!

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Another CD2 voter here. Golden seriously challenges my Vote Blue No Matter Who ethic. But - as you know except for purplish Hancock County, CD2 is a vast red desert which went for Trump twice. Although one of my favorite phone bank conversations was with a woman in Aroostook, who when I expressed particular thanks at her support for our Democratic candidates replied "We're not all idiots up here."

Golden, although the most conservative Democrat in Congress, is probably the only one we could elect. And may be the most vulnerable to the huge pouring in of GOP campaign money. It's said we may be the most expensive House race. (Leonard Leo, Tucker Carlson and Gun Owners of America are up here - and after the mass shooting in his hometown, Golden came out in support of some gun safety legislation.)

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Sunday River area up in Bethel and Newry, the Orono area are blue as well as a few other blue dots in the sea of red which is most of CD#2. But I agree, lin...Golden is seriously challenging my plan to VOTE BLUE up and down the ballot. The latest TV ad of his is so insulting to Biden and Democrats in general that I'm having a really hard time supporting him.

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Yes. I keep having to remind myself that as long as Golden's officially a Democrat, he can help us get to a House majority. That's worth my vote.

I'm sure many of us across the country are similarly challenged. We need a Blue Wave. And sometimes we have to hold our nose to get there.

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Sending my sincere sympathy. But people have held their noses and voted for the “lesser of two weevils” for most of our history.

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My Alaska D Rep also signed that condemnation bill...what the heck??? And she was doing so well!

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Jonathan Keppler, at a rally asked a man who was dressed in a red hat, shirt, cape, socks and shoes, all with chumps name, face all over him. He asked him what was the one thing that chump stood for or could fix, the man said the inflation and that people had a hard time feeding their families. He then asked how many hats, shirts etc he had. He has over 49 hats etc.

He asked the guy wasn’t that overkill and consumerism while people are hungry. Of course the guy didn’t have a response! Dumb people.

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Cecelia, I think my response would have been "Well, it appears that the economy is doing pretty well if you're able to afford all those hats." Then I'd say to myself, "I guess it's chump change to him", and I'd be right!

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I bet these folks don’t even know what the current inflation rate is and how it compares to inflation under trump…

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If a comedian said these things, we would be laughing with them. For candidates for our highest offices to say them is downright scary. We should be, and are, laughing at them.

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Perhaps one only has to look at cults to get the general dupes drawn..I’d venture there lies the psychological makeup of those followers…

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The portion of Project 2025 concerning the DOD is truly frightening.

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I m sorry to say your problem is you believe what he says. There never has been and there is still not now a shred of evidence that the American military is totally on his side. That is what he needs to be a dictator. Where were they on January 6. Only people working for him were a bunch of hoodlums.

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Joyce, I only believe him when he talks about something he may do. When he says (on another topic) that people need to vote for him this November ("My Christians...") and not ever again, because he won't need their votes, that is of great concern. The NASCAR drivers and football coaches comment is also believable, and that has little to do with the military's leanings one way or another. (I have suspicions which way they lie, but no evidence, so that's all I'll say about that.)

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tRump talks a lot about what he will do. Not necessarily a lie. But there is no reality behind it. All he had to support him on January 6 were hoodlums. he may believe and get naive people to believe the election was stolen - but this was never the reality.

You cannot become a dictator without the very united strong backing of the Military. He has not been able to provide a shred of evidence that he has the full support of the American military. However, he seems to be able to get you and others to believe this is true. I am sorry for that. I actually find it sad. The reality is so clear -only hoodlums supported him on his big lie on January 6.

He is genius at manipulating the media to keep him on their front pages for ratings and advertising dollars. Biden was boring.

Its changing now and he is no longer going to be the headline.

If you fear his reelection then take all of your energy and get out the vote for Kamala.

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Joyce, respectfully, we should all fear his election. Remember, this time around he has whiz kids instead of (or in addition to,) hoodlums -- they are the ones responsible for Project 2025. IF he gets back in, AND the House and Senate go R, there is a very good chance much if not most of their agenda will be enacted, and remember SCOTUS has given immunity (subject to their review) of "official acts". There is *that* reality to his words. Do you really want to chance him replacing generals with those who would be loyal to him and not the Constitution, per their oath? I don't -- I take him at his word that he will try everything in his power to expand his control over the US.

And I'm doing what I can to support thue election of Kamala Harris -- my wife and I have made donations already, and will make more. I'm also writing postcards to be mailed (per instructions) mid-October.

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Could Trump fire everyone in the military who wasn't behind him?

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Sadly, don't be so certain of that. The various special operations forces are heavily Trumpified. The SEALs consider themselves "Christian crusaders."

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I know 3 SEALs and former SEALs. 2 of them hate Trump and the third loves him. Trump sent them into an operation in Yemen, 3 weeks into his Presidency where one of them was killed, a little girl that was an American citizen was killed and Trump sat a restaurant stuffing his fat face while all of this went down.

Of course there was an investigation, but it was never released to the public as far as I know.

The SEALs vote for Trump at their own peril just like everyone that isn't rich or a large corporation. (Remember--corporations are people too.)

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I'm afraid I have to disagree with you, Gary. People vote for Trump at their own peril, full stop. Trump votes for Trump at his own peril. Sure, some people will have a nice roast goose dinner, but that will be it for golden eggs.

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Did you see the awful story about the cop in Springfield, IL that shot the woman and killed her because she was holding a pan of boiling water? They indicted him yesterday for murder. SPD was his 4th department in 2 years and he had been discharged from the Army before that for disciplinary reasons.

He must be a really good story teller to get hired four times with his abysmal record.

DeSantis advertised that if a cop has been dismissed from a police department to "come on down" to FL. We hire sociopaths and psychopaths that no one else wants in FL.

In 1989, we were living in Springfield, IL and my wife was finishing her degree in Rolla, MO. My company shut down every Friday at 12:30 pm and I would drive down to Rolla to spend the weekend with her.

Springfield was one of the last cities in the country to have caller ID on their 911 systems. On one particular Friday in early October, some kids called 911 and said they were in our house and I was trying to kill them. They were hiding under the steps and to please hurry.

Unbeknownst to us, several police cars drove up to our house and the police surrounded it with guns drawn and proceeded to batter the door open. They came in opened all of the doors and left them open. They broke a couple of little statues my wife had on the floor and left.

They closed the door they had battered in which was in the garage and closed the garage door which they apparently had opened with some sort of universal opener.

On Sunday evening I returned home and noticed a dent in the steel door between the garage and the house and the broken statues and the open doors. But, my sister-in-law came over sometimes so I just assumed it was her.

On Halloween, my neighbor asked me what all the excitement was about on that Friday. It was obvious I didn't know what he was talking about and so he told me. I was pissed at the SPD and called and asked why they didn't leave a note or a card or anything. There reply was "we don't have to." I asked them to pay for the damage and they again said, "we don't have to." Assholes.

My neighbor was a fireman and happened to be off that day so he saw the whole thing.

My opinion of the SPD is not very good, so I wasn't surprised that this happened in that department even though it was 35 years later.

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Shocking and terribly sad—sorry you and your family suffered this.

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Sadly there is always the exceptions. They usually make the headlines. I could go on for hours days even, about the incredible beautiful humanity I have encountered in my life ( am a retired lawyer -11 years criminal law reform and 22 years a judge,) that do not make the front page of papers.

tRump never really won in 2016 - he lost the popular vote by 3 million . He won because in key states people SAT HOME and did not vote.

If Biden had not stepped down this could have happened again. It will not because now people are inspired to come out and vote.

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That may be but please let's not paint ALL with the same brush. I know plenty active duty in both arenas and not one of them fills this particular bill.

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Pat, there has to be an understanding of "but not all" in all of this. As a retired cop, I KNOW there are MAGAts on duty, every day. I was unfriended and blocked by most of the ones I used to work with (and we're all retired now, so there's that), but there are plenty of GWOT Veterans in the ranks of every agency.

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My nephew is a cop and his brother is a firefighter. They are both good at their jobs. My nephew the cop is 6'4" and 250ish. When he was training they were each required to box each other. He literally knocked out most of his class and never lost a match. If you met him, he is the gentlest person, but man, he can pack a punch.

And his older brother is rep for the firefighters union in a major US city. He's had to negotiate with several Republicans and has done quite well for the firefighters.

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Of course.

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Their instructors and superiors are responsible for that attitude. The military as a whole has always had people that veered to the right. The Seals are vetted for not only their physical strength but their intellect. I was in the military and am familiar with that type of individual. It comes with the turf and always has. Social media not only effects the civilians but also the military. We should be concentrating on getting VP Harris elected. It will make a positive impression on the military if she is elected. As I've stated the problem lies with the instructors and superior officers in the military. Young soldiers look up to them for direction and politics and religion should not be included in their training. It affects force readiness.

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Things were somewhat different when there was a draft. Several guys I know that were drafted talked about the morons that trained them. I avoided being drafter by one year, and I can't imagine I would have had much respect for the trainers.

But I don't disagree with you.

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Can you get us some cites for this? Need them before I can amplify!

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Ouch.

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That is so depressing. Just deluded is all I can call such cult schitt

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I am sorry to say you have fallen into tRump's reality and believe the lies. Facts - no crowds showed up to support him at his 3 week trial. So he had to lie that they were blocked off. This lie was immediately exposed. No crowds contested when he was convicted. Is just one of the numerous examples that he does not have the strong following the press would like you to believe.

Check out Kamala's response by the American people in the 24 hours after she announced she was going to run for the Presidency. That will tell you tRump has absolutely NO chance of winning if people come out to vote and they will in droves for Kamala

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Schedule F. It’s in Project 2025. They will have to swear a loyalty oath to him, not the constitution.

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Praise GOD!

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Is there a video of this?

Is it on tape?

It is astounding.

..... "Trump made his plans to become a strongman clear: “Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians…. Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”

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What I simply cannot believe is that this isn't the headline on every paper and every media outlet in the country. Judas H PRIEST !!! This is so against EVERYTHING this nation USED to stand for that it should be INSTANTLY disqualifying.

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It's in Heathers links--first link under "X" by Acyn.

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OMG! Why isn't this the lead story on every news broadcast?

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Not sure what I wish for here--I don't want to derail the first honest media coverage of Kamala to turn the attention back to Trump. It's obvious to me that he said the most outrageous thing he could think of to get the spotlight back on himself.

I think the "weird" Democratic media strategy is mistaken--You shouldn't call Trump and Vance weird--it is too benign a description, and is not nearly consistent with the level of threat they pose. I think it is far better to just "roll the tape" with suitable video in the background and a few banners with when, where and to whom he made the statements--preferably with a Fox banner as a source. It should scare the sh*t out of anyone who hears it and hasn't succumbed to MAGA brain washing.

I am hoping to see Kamala ads with that particular quote about only "needing to vote one more time." in a few days!

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George I like ‘weird.’ It certainly covers the spittle that comes from Trump and now Vance. I could imagine focusing on the weirdest comment weekly. For example, this week Trump suggesting that, were he back in the White House, there would be no need for elections in 2028.

What do you suggest as a better generic word for ‘weird?’ Crazy? Bizarre?

I could visualize a Weirdometer, ion which some of the weird Trump spittle is measured. This would be a more visual way of having an ongoing fact checker. I believe that the Washington Post fact checker recorded over 30,000 whoopers during Trump’s presidency before, exhausted, he stopped officially counting.

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Anytime we use a pejorative adjective directly to a person, rather than to the person’s statement, action, belief, we absolutely weaken our point of you, Keith. We are reacting emotionally and it does not strengthen our position. It does not convince anyone to change their point of view.

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How about "dangerous"?

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I personally would go for authoritarian--which is the truth. The media has normalized Trump's comments. Calling him and Vance weird lets his supporters say--"oh you know he doesn't REALLY mean it. He is just Trump being Trump." But , in point of fact, he actually does mean it as January 6 showed us.

It's time we stopped trivializing Trump's (and now Vance's) comments by name calling back.

I think the better way to handle it is straight up factually. Trump said there will be no need for elections if he wins this fall. If there are no elections then you aren't living in a democracy. You are living in a dictatorship. And just as a reminder he told us that he would be a dictator on Day One of his next term (insert audio clip) With the Supreme Court Ruling on Presidential immunity there is no check be on what he can do. Is that what the American idea is supposed to be?

You could still have your meter--just with a dial marked in how authoritarian his statements are...

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I heard about this first thing this morning on npr.

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One guess, Justin …

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The Times and the Post have both buried it.

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It was on NPR this morning as the lead story.

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Yes, Christopher. It's all over my Threads timeline.

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45's Base = 74mil voting white American's. Current polls on 45 vs Harris is about 50/50. 45's Base at this time, is not wavering. At some point, y'all (white folks) gonna have to except that most whites in this country want what 45's selling. Even if Harris wins, that reality will continue to destabilize this nation. IJS

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And yet:

" Whatever Trump has in mind cannot be good, when he is telling rallies packed with MAGA voters that they don’t have to worry about voting, because he already “has the votes.”

There is something exceedingly smelly going on here, and as usual, it’s being done right out there in full view. The scent of voter intimidation is probably there to divert attention from what’s going on behind the scenes where the real stink is." Lucian K Truscott IV,

JL 27

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I listened to the X video three times to make sure I heard what Trump said about not being a Christian. He said it quickly and quietly while encouraging Christians to vote. How can the Christian Nationalist Party uphold that man as their leader?

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Not a very "originalist" proposition, unless you are talking about kings and pharaohs.

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It was Solomon who had all those wives. And lots of gold.

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“Originalist to kings and pharaohs”…🤣

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Anyone wonder if ANY of his supporters are turned off by that statement?

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Behind a paywall but this is from my local FL Gannett paper this morning.

“Some hesitation about Trump's age but still overwhelming support at Turning Point USA event.”

Keep sharing the Seneca Project 1 min video. To note, Charlie Kirk is not just a “Trump supporter”, but the founder/head of the Turning Point USA cult.

https://x.com/senecaprojectus/status/1810372496878874790

📣📣📣

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OMG! That is some scary crap.

My reaction: Women should just STOP having sex with men. There ARE alternatives. Boy babies should be aborted. We only need a few for heavy work and sperms. Men just fk things up. How many women are raising their children in refugee camps. How many are having to run run run away from Israeli bombs aimed right at them and their children? There is no other mammal or even fish where the male destroys the females and offspring.

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No they aren't. It's a team sport to them, and as long as they think the libs are owned harder and hurting than them, then they'll consider it a win

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"So, Trump made it very clear: vote for him and you'll never have the privilege of voting again. He will make your decisions for you."

Does CFDT now realize that everything he says outside of Mar-a-Lago is going to be heard?

That was probably the scariest thing he's ever said. I've got to believe that his campaign is telling him that he has the election sewed up, so feel free to say anything you want. But come to think of it, he always has and they just have to "clean up on aisle 7".

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He really plans a war if he doesn’t win, I think. He has spoken of a bloodbath if the election is called against him.

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I thought it was "Clean up on aisle 45" As at https://mswmedia.com/show/clean-up-on-aisle-45/

Clean up on Aisle 7 would be for his hero Andrew Jackson and an older Trail of Tears (plus other messes).

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While we're at it, a "Clean up on aisle 17" might help.

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How can a presidential candidate be so deranged that he believes never voting again is a good thing?

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Cult logic

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And there it is—a clear admission that if he somehow gets elected, we won't have a Democracy anymore! Let's Go, Kamala!!!

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I wonder , Anna, if there has been a book written of the successful rise of the oligarchs 1) What factor mattered most in their rise? 2) How quickly the country came ‘under oppression’? 3) Who they ALL are..and their country.

One of the strongest abilities of this group I’ve found is their knowledge of books & writers. Kudos🫶

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The MSM has been trying to make the decisions for us. Seemed profitable. And seems that a monkey wrench had been thrown into that effort. May chump discover that voting is popular with all but those willing to wait for the rapture with their “savior.”

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Unquestionably, a repeat performance

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Also he will have lawyers at the polls to give fake results-Sounds like an episode of The Good Wife.

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That quote was indeed chilling... even more chilling is my realization that this is the 'conference' my cousin is attending this weekend.

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From Nuke Iran to Bomb Mexico, from thinly veiled misogyny to declared war on female cat owners. It truly is weird, sadistic, and hypermasculine in a gross kind of way.

And this is so un-American it hurts:

“Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians…”

I tried to watch some of the RNC speeches tonight and couldn’t. It’s just that bad. Watched Jon Oliver’s bit on Max about the invention of “migrant crime” as a thing that isn’t a thing.

These clockwork orange clowns cannot win. I don’t think they will, but we have to move, act, canvas, donate, register, vote. Laugh at times for the sake of sanity. I’m as optimistic as I am horrified by what’s going on in this country.

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My thoughts, exactly! I am also horrified at what's going on in this nation. Makes me want to leave here and never come back. Words alone cannot describe just how much i hate and despise that resident of the filthiest cesspool in the world, Donald TUMP! My same thoughts for the utterly stupid and ignorant people that vote for him! Including my demented relatives.

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Liked for content and for the term "clockwork orange clowns,"

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From the Wikipedia plot summary of A Clockwork Orange:

“Later, Alex invades the home of a wealthy "cat-lady" and bludgeons her with a phallic sculpture while his droogs remain outside. On hearing sirens, Alex tries to flee, but Dim smashes a bottle in his face, stunning Alex and leaving him to be arrested. Deltoid brings word that the woman has died of her injuries, and Alex is convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years in prison.”

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Clockwork_Orange_(film)

Not sure of any exact parallels, just sure of the unsettling violence and antisocial behavior that permeates my sense of the film (haven’t watched in a long long time). Clockwork Orange Clowns seemed to check some boxes, orange particularly!

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Doctor, you got another red circle with a tiny red mark?

What --- can't anyone cite Stanley Kubrick without being "Examined"?

I think I will test the non-existent content Substack Inc. moderation department with a '2001' metaphor.

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Bryan, I clicked on Dr. McCormick's name..."Examined" is the name of his Substack blog. Don't know about the red checkmark, but TC in LA has one too, so my guess is it is benign.

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Democrats must win. That's a given. But how did someone so un-American it hurts become the American president, and why is there a even chance of that happening again? Finding an answer to that question—even assuming Democrats win, and I believe that will happen—is not optional. We would be correct in saying people who support authoritarianism are delusional, but we'd only be describing the symptom, and that's not good enough. It is possible and necessary to understand the cause of the authoritarian disease.

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If the Associate and Chief Justices of the Supreme Court were NORMAL functioning beings instead of being whacky radicalized rightwing grifters and thieves.....Trump would have been disqualified according to the 14th Amendment as an insurrectionist and never allowed near an elective office of any kind. The Court is itself now a cesspool of "weird" thought and twisted-into-pretzels reasoning and absurd "decisions"

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I agree, but my point is that authoritarianism is like cancer. To describe and treat the symptoms is important, but not good enough. We need to understand the disease. If one does not know how to cure a disease, then one's understanding of the disease is inadequate.

Six SCOTUS "justices" are authoritarians. I put justice in quotations because they don't have an elementary school level understanding of the concept.

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Here’s what Claude.ai comes up with:

There are several reasons why some people may support authoritarian systems of government:

1. Desire for stability and order: Authoritarian regimes often promise to maintain social order and stability, which can be appealing in times of chaos or uncertainty.

2. Economic concerns: Some authoritarian leaders promise rapid economic development or improved living standards.

3. Nationalism and cultural pride: Authoritarian regimes often promote strong nationalist sentiments and the idea of cultural superiority.

4. Fear and insecurity: Authoritarian leaders may exploit fears of external threats or internal enemies to gain support.

5. Simplicity of decision-making: Centralized power can lead to faster decision-making, which some view as more efficient.

6. Tradition and history: In some cultures, there may be a historical precedent for strong, centralized leadership.

7. Disillusionment with democracy: Frustration with democratic processes or perceived failures of democratic systems can drive support for authoritarian alternatives.

8. Propaganda and information control: Authoritarian regimes often control media and information, shaping public opinion in their favor.

9. Personality cults: Charismatic leaders can inspire devoted followings through carefully crafted public images.

10. Lack of political awareness: In some cases, limited access to diverse information or education can contribute to support for authoritarian systems.

It's important to note that support for authoritarianism is a complex issue influenced by various historical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors.

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Authoritarianism is a complex issue, and I agree that's important to understand, but is that understanding useful if it can't be translated into effective action? Your AI-generated issues list inspired my NI-generated suggestion (NI = natural intelligence). This is not for anyone in particular. Instead, it's for everyone concerned about the current political situation.

1. Adhere to the simple "everyone matters" principle as if your life depends on it (because it does).

2. Find others who agree.

3. Work together until your able to take effective principle-based actions.

4. Return to Step 1 and repeat.

I reread the AI list. If there's an issue that hasn't been addressed, I can't find it.

In other words, yes, it is complicated. But in addition to being complicated, it is also simple.

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Hello, James. I want to take a 'stab' at your rhetorical question. Behind Trump are two very powerful coalitions, which unfortunately have been "in business" long before Trump. Those are 1) very wealthy plutocrats who want nothing more than to be left unnoticed while they pillage and plunder, and 2) misguided "Under the Banner of God" folks. The latter are already accustomed to authority and obedience to a hierarchy, usually all male. IMHO, we must be aware of their power, but instead, we focus on Trump, who is simply reframing their tenets. He's an expendable celebrity, as were Reagan and Bush.

My worry is that, even with the majority vote, we will only put a dent in their combined, entrenched power.

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I cannot “like” what you wrote but I recognize the truth you say.

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I agree, except that I don't agree that I'm asking a rhetorical question, and I happen to think it's a resolvable issue. See my response to T L Mills.

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James, I did not mean a slight. I used the word, perhaps incorrectly, to emphasize the enormity of it all. Please excuse me, and I hope you are right that it's solvable.

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No worries. I was not taking any offence, just clarifying my intent.

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Some would think of it as masculinity, but I think it's just being a bully, and men generally have more muscle strength than men, which can be applied to bullying. Not to say that women can't be bullies too. Some governments are formed to project bullying; let them hate us so long as they fear us, and others designed to minimize it.

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Yes. Masculinity in the old sense of the word with so much baggage, as in “we’re not going back” to it.

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Trump said "my Christians". How abhorrent!

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Well, he said "[You won’t have to vote anymore], my beautiful Christians.." "Beautiful". That will do it for those Christians who are superficially beautiful?

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“We must move”. Exactly. We must not rest on polls we must keep our eyes on the prize, as late Senator Lewis said.

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Trump’s statement that we”ll “never have to vote again” should have inspired 2 inch headlines in every newspaper in the country. The Harris campaign must pound away at all such statements since the MSM appears unconcerned by such obvious threats to democracy.

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THIS.

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I wonder if the news organizations have grown tired of reporting outrageous things Trump says, only to have the nation shrug. They think nobody cares, leading to nobody knowing and therefore caring even less.

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"Unconcerned" as in purchased by wealthy robber barons.

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I don't think it is just "Locker Room Talk," his actions too often come too close to such talk. Perhaps more public exposure of it could at least get him to make another extremely rare "apology" like the only other one I've heard of as at: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/15/politics/donald-trump-apologies/index.html

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His apologies are worthless. He very much intends on being a dictator. Everything is in place for a rapid collapse of our whole democratic system if he were allowed to have power.

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Is this statement enough to snap any of his supporters out of their stupor??

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“Is this statement enough to snap any of his supporters out of their stupor??”

Unlikely. If at all possible it would have happened a while ago.

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The Times and the Post both buried it.

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YES! And worldwide! VANCE and the COUCH got to Norway for Christs sake!

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“As J.D. Vance continues to step on rakes…” That is such an evocative image, simultaneously reminding me of cartoons from my childhood and that perhaps cosmic justice will come for him. And it will be years, if ever, before he can walk into a furniture store without being watched and recorded, more delicious cosmic justice.

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Yes, I picture that scene from a PInk Panther movie where one for the character steps on a rake! Slapstick comedy but somehow it manages to elicit at least a smirch!

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I'm still wondering what the deal between Trump and Vance is. Trump says he doesn't know Project 2025 and that it's a conspiracy theory by "The Left" (whoever that may be), though he is mentioned in it 100+ times, but Vance is applauding it. What's the deal? How can a VP-to-be say 'black' when the presidential candidate says 'white'?? Is this some sort of gaslighting by these two? Is Vance trying to hold the extreme MAGAts on board whilst Trump tries to cater to the more moderate ones?

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Vance wants to bury King Trump.

Let’s face it: Trump looks like heart attack material. He’s fat and he’s really really old.

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So you think Vance is waiting for that fatal and final hamberder... Hm, not an unlikely scenario. But Vance better buckle up then, because once a king, or better, a fascist dictator dies, often a war of succession breaks out, because the dictator wants to pass on power to his son. Vance had better be ready to fight for his position, then...

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Isn't it automatic if he's the VP? But, good news: Trump will lose.

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It's only "automatic" if you play by the rules.

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Oh. ......... Right. ....... They don't.

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Trump’s plan to use the military to root out the cartels in Mexico is a rIdiculous idea. But let’s be honest, the so called war on drugs which officially began with the Nixon administration has failed miserably. How many hundreds of billions have be spent fighting this shadow war and yet, look at the problems we have still with drugs.

Clearly, attacking the supply side of the problem doesn’t work. Even the capture of these top cartel leaders, as acknowledged in this article, will not put even a dent in the fentanyl trade.

Why not employ a war on drugs on the demand side. Whatever the cost, build and staff treatment centers so there’s no long waits for addicts who wish to get treatment.

Invest much more in programs to lift people out of poverty and to offer job training and counseling to help former addicts regain their footing in society.

Why not also tackle the current ongoing opioid crisis, invest even more in treatment centers designed to treat these victims? Aggressively pursue civil and criminal charges against the purdue pharma executives including key members of the sackler family. Demonstrate that white collar crime doesn’t pay by refusing any deals that let these top executives off the hook for their heinous crimes.

There is so much potential to reduce the scourge of drugs that permeates our society. We have to fight it in a much more direct manner, not target the suppliers so much, but instead, treat drug use as a medical illness. And treat it with a full range of evidence-based treatments and support; cure the desire for drugs and the cartels living high in the mexican mountains and throughout the world will truly fear the consequences.

Nothing else has put a dent in their operations over time.

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When my son died, to Fentanyl, he died to a white powder, a chemical poison, and I wasn't there to ask him if he knew what it was. outreach is equally important as enforcement, I agree, but he had once been in a DARE program, and as an adult he made other choices. I will continue to see the need to infiltrate and terminate Fentanyl manufacturing and distribution sources. It is combat, in defense of plunder, and the response can be equally lethal. Fentanyl manufacturing and distribution is the equivalent of holding a gun to our heads

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Stephen, I am so very sorry for your loss.

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The approach is not an either/or or even both: The issues of substance abuse are many and varied, and not dealt with in an easy manner since they are so highly individual.

My condolences on the loss of your son.

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The real evil is the Chinese manufacturer and shipping to Mexico. The Mexican cartels had an established “business” which started with pot and cocaine. Those drugs, compared to fentanyl, are practically harmless.

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True, we don't hear of many deaths to Cannabis, and China may have a hand in manufacturing/distribution, ( though the potential is without borders ). Earlier, tonight, I commented that the story of the bust should have got better coverage. I don't hesitate to say that prison is no place for those convicted of 1st degree murder. For those who would traffic Fentanyl, there is no need to cocktail a capital punishment either. An overdose of the same medicine should be a quiet deterrent and just response, the mortician will say life leaves with one last breath in a deep sleep.

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Mexico will not extradite or maybe not even cooperate if the USA might use capital punishment. In spite of a normal instinct to kill really bad offenders, capital punishment is a bad way to go. It costs more and it's inhumane to expect American citizens to commit murder.

Cannabis or cocaine are both are harmful but alcohol is far more deadly.

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Stephen, I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. I pray you have good memories from better days with your son that bless you.

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Stephen, you have my heart. You know a parent’s angst with these problems. Our mental health programs fail because not enough money nor trained staff to be supplied. Thankfully, four members of infamous Mexican drug cartels are now in prison. As of yesterday, two out of the four were arrested in Texas. Things, I believe will change with Harris at the wheel.

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Fentanyl is not usually sold to end users as a product. It is added to other products. And kills.

We have been here before. In the 20s and 30s there was “bad alcohol”. And it killed.

The harm-minimizing solution then? Legalize use of alcohol. The harm-minimizing solution now? Find ways to bring dangerous (but emotionally supportive) products back into the legal world where there is no incentive to adulterate.

The Stephen Smiths of the world will still lose sons to these then-safer-but-not-safe products. But much less frequently.

As to Fred’s plea to attacking the demand side with treatment, we need to have some clear understanding.

1. None of these so-called “addictive” products are inherently disastrous in small amounts (we don’t hear of people consuming fentanyl directly; presumably that would be suicidal). The world is full of people who consume small quantities of alcohol. Yet all of these products, like opioids, are abusable.

2. Abuse comes from somewhere. While there may be genetic factors at work, the counseling world is rapidly finding great success by focusing their time on trauma. Find the trauma and get the patient to stop the deep self-blame that drives the desire for relief and escape. When the addict hears and understands “It’s not your fault!” breakthroughs often happen. And healing begins.

So yes, Fred, let us shift our resources away from law enforcement and towards treatment. Trauma treatment in particular.

And let us change our tax laws to pull society resources into making sure families are supported. Truly, “no child should be left behind. “

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You are correct; the incidence of drug use goes down when there is adequate housing and employment. Nevertheless, building up those two factors will take time, in addition to treatment, if ever they are funded. But that isn't the only focus. Recreational use of all intoxicants is almost the norm in some areas among some age groups. Also, the chemicals produced in China and the distribution by Mexican cartels of meth and fentanyl is an overwhelming factor. Defeat of addictions will and should take a multi-pronged effort.

I am reminded of China during the British efforts of occupation when the use of opium caused a national malaise. China's response was a multipronged 'crack-down', including demolishing opium dens and arresting suppliers (the British). I don't know of a solution that doesn't require law enforcement against access.

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Get into politics!

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Oh it is absolutely delicious to see the creative community come forth with support for Kamala and brilliant content rich pushback against Vance and his(and the Trump 2025) threat..https://x.com/krassenstein/status/1816567820635054154?s=48&t=TLQzxUlvUlukKYrWTMjAWg

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Oh snap, KSC, that was perfect…props to the musicians/singers!!!! Thanks for sharing.

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Fabulous! They need to make a 30 second version to run as an ad.

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That. Is. Gold.

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😂

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It’s been a “feel great” week, Heather. The Lincoln Project has been trolling Trump relentlessly. It’s delicious! Here’s a couple of examples: https://x.com/projectlincoln/status/1816821910489170300?s=46&t=0fqgIfW4gkZe58SfYjTotQ and https://x.com/projectlincoln/status/1816934012801143201?s=46&t=0fqgIfW4gkZe58SfYjTotQ

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More than 100,000 new Democratic registrations. More than 1,000,000 FT 6 texts. Register more Democrats to save the world.

https://www.fieldteam6.org/about-us

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That is very encouraging information, Daniel. The walking talking bloated bag of rotten garbage HAS to be defeated!

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Oh myyyyy................... Those ads are fabulous. The sofa one made me laugh so hard I had to make a quick water closet trip. Priceless. I'm glad they are making such good use of my donations.

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Great trolling but I'm unsure if the Lincoln Project actually convinces already existing MAGA voters to not vote for Trump. But the fact that they maintain good social media presence is good.

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I'm convinced at this point that nothing will move then to bit vote for cfdt. That said, I do hope that the Lincoln Project stuff makes its way to TikTok, where the youth vote can be reached. The new registration numbers are encouraging.

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Thanks, Marlene, will share!

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So, JD Vance has nothing against cats. Does that mean that he only has something against women.? While those of us ladies that consider ourselves Cat Ladies Meow >^..^< Meow may or may not have children & while we may take offense at people that besmirch cats, there really is another issue at stake here. Tell us, JD, what do you think about women? Oh, that's right, silly me, I'm just a little ole barefoot woman just waiting for a big, strong man to make me a mama!

And this BS about family being the most important thing & that degrees & other accomplishments are not as important as family, well, JD, if that's the case why did you use the GI Bill to get a degree & then go on to get a law degree. Why aren't you staying home to take care of your family instead of running around the country making an absolute fool of yourself? Oh dear, there goes that little ole barefoot woman coming out again, I forgot that it's the man that supports the family while the 'little woman' stays at home & keeps house & takes care of all the kids you want.

And, JD, one other thing to think about. If & when trump & you lose in November trump will blame you! He'll tell his loyal followers that it was YOU that made him lose, that you didn't do all that you could do to get him elected. So when he calls up the proud boys & the mob the next time they'll be chanting "Hang JD! Hang JD!" And they probably even saved the gallows that that calm crowd of sightseers just happened to bring along the last time, completely constructed & outfitted with a noose. But do go on, this "Cat Lady" >^..^< is holding her breath for your next batch of words of wisdom. And here we thought that trump was the dumbass!?

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- Pulled Quote -

''Trump made his plans to become a strongman clear: “Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians…. Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”''

Jesus Christ people get out and vote this Hitler wannabe into obscurity...we're not going back!

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The interesting thing which most do not seem to notice ,

Is that Trump himself does not go to church.

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Isn’t that a clear indication that he’s losing it?

Stay tuned in for more.

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In a way, this is business as usual for Trump--he knows he is going to have to steal this election--that he can't win any other way; so, because it's on his mind, it comes out his big piehole. Also, another commenter mentioned that it is also quite typical of Trump to say the most outrageous thing he can think of to bring the media spotlight back onto himself. This all fits into his usual m.o.

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No, it is autocracy-speak. See, he is saying, to these ignorant followers, the same thing that Jim Jones told his congregation: “Follow me to the Promised Land where you will live freely and in harmony.” (Paraphrasing) He said this before making them drink the Koolaid, of course. Trump is saying that they’ll never have to vote again. Why? Because he will make all of the decisions over their minds and bodies. Bunch of unadulterated BS!

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For those who are flummoxed by the followers of Trump,... Are they crazy? or are they just finding something (a someone) to worship??

I found and saved an article from BBC: "Do humans have a ‘religion instinct’?

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190529-do-humans-have-a-religion-instinct

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Michael, this scares the 💩 out of me. I just watched the video and it is horrible.

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I am not scared, Ally. I am energized about Kamala. The GQP, GOP, Conservatives, Repubs, The Fascist Party (my preference) instills fear. That’s their MO. We are seeing beyond their hateful rhetoric, their strategy. They have been employing that for years but NO MORE! We are in it for the long haul. Go to Monday’s get together on Zoom or YouTube to promote Kamala. https://mobilize.us/s/HBFLlN/r

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The one thing I miss from Heather's reporting: names of great Dems quoting each other.

The press reports more widely on the V.P. candidates -- such a wealth of decency, energy, variety. But Dems can harness this effectively if they just out-and-out name names of each other in celebration of what it's clear now that the people want.

So many good programs that benefit family life of working class families. Name these programs in the various parts of America where local Dem state legislators, U.S. senators, mayors, governors, and others have been working for them. Problems with the Netanyahu visit to Congress (such as Bernie outlined)? -- name the Dems who have expressed concern for the terrible rut in which everyone is stuck over there (a rut which deepens due to predations by the far-right settlers still provoking Palestinians on the West Bank).

Uppity women outraged at J. D. Vance? Hey, appear on camera with cats -- and with words and signs expressing the good, decent programs our best uppities hold dearest.

Celebrate! Name each other. And those programs uniting this land is our land.

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Well, they are weird.

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Such a relief to know they don't hate cats.

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And I don't think he shoots dogs.

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Good point, JL. But he hasn't been vetted. And there's the couch abuse.

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Alexandra, as a wit said elsewhere, that's sofa king weird.

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🤣🤣🤣😉🤭

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Hah. I love it.

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Too kind,

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Bomb Mexico?!? Brilliant: that should cement our relationship with all of Latin America and what a move for world diplomacy. These guys aren't weird, they are totally out of it.

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It's likely there are plenty of cat ladies for Harris, but when are we going to hear of the third wives for Trump?

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🤣🤣🤣

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So good to read uplifting stuff with a big dose of optimism

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As Joyce Vance aptly writes this morning’ we are all on a bit of a sugar high right now.

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Trump and the media may call his audience "christians"; they may even call themselves "christians"; but do the rest of us have to accept that terminology? These people are nothing like Jesus. Nothing. Like. Jesus. There is no conversion of life to the principles Jesus expounded.

Not that this makes them unique in history, sadly. There isn't room enough or time to list the egregious violations of Jesus' teachings committed by "beautiful christians" [sic] over the centuries since he was murdered, but these folks are cutting it pretty close.

Just a couple days ago, TFG was telling his fan club (cult) not to bother voting; now he's telling them to vote this one last time. Either way, I find myself wondering if he's hoping for open civil war - even a holy war - if he loses the election.

That's not "weird." That's terrifying.

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Andra Watkins, best-selling author and “escapee” from white “Christian” nationalism on what we can do now….and GOTV!!!!✍️📲💲🚶🏻🪧👕🛒

“How can we use this propensity to claim to be the “One True Faith” to our advantage NOW?

Start asking politicians who profess to be Christians about their faith. Ask specific questions like what are you trusting to get to heaven? and who do you believe is going to heaven? and so-and-so says she is going to heaven; if you disagree, why do you disagree?

This is what journalists should have done in the wake of the recent Dolly Parton controversy. Ask Christian Nationalists to define exactly why Dolly isn’t going to heaven despite her outward Christ-like behavior. That woman is a saint.

Compare and contrast their answers. I guarantee there will be disparities.

Hammer them with questions about those disparities. Which answer reveals who is the “Real” Christian? Why is this person’s answer “wrong?” Mike Johnson said this about “True” faith. Are you saying his faith is “wrong?” Is he really going to hell?

If they start fighting over whose faith is the “One True Faith” in the lead-up to the November election, it could fracture their coalition. They might destroy each other instead of sending our country into a theocratic holy war over whose faith will be the national religion. Because if we learn one thing from history, it is to keep people like them as far from the levers of power as humanly possible.”

https://open.substack.com/pub/project2025istheocracy/p/if-christo-fascist-republicans-win?r=fqsxl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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I love Andra Watkins’s posts. There is so much moral clarity in her drive to prevent an oppressive Christian ideology from overthrowing Democracy.

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Thank you for that link.

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Just wait for the meltdown. It’s coming.

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It is beyond treason

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Evelyn, they have wrapped themselves in the flag and are carrying the cross. I am a non-theist, but I can put myself in your shoes with how I feel about their desecration of the US National Colors. Sadly, they have co-opted both, and are calling for a Christian America.

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Quite, but a "christian America" that isn't either.... At least not as I understand either...

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