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Gary Anderson's avatar

Our Professor Richardson has been writing about this for years….here is a link to an article she wrote in early 2016. It is informative and also includes the quote you referenced: https://www.salon.com/2016/03/06/this_is_how_the_gop_imploded_the_real_story_behind_the_conservative_crack_up_and_the_creation_of_donald_trump/

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James M. Coyle's avatar

Thanks, Gary. I'm relatively new here. Enjoyed the article you linked.

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Pam Taylor's avatar

James, welcome to the group!

A friend referred me to Professor Richardson's post in 2016 and I've been reading and commenting ever since. I live in a town, county, and state where Trump lovers abound. Someone told me if people around here knew about my hatred of Trump, that they would come and hang me! Yep. Hang me.

If it wasn't for HCR's words, and the comments of like-minded people, I think I would have had a nervous breakdown trying to understand how people could support such a vile, unhinged, immoral man and think that he is worthy of being the president of our United States.

We are living in precarious times, and we need all the balance we can get. Thanks to HCR and all the commenters here for keeping me sane and hopeful that RIGHT will prevail.

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James M. Coyle's avatar

Thank you for the welcome, Pam. I stumbled upon LFAA through a casual reference to it on another website comment section, possibly Slate. When I googled the site i was amazed at Dr, Richardson’s ability to summarize current events and provide relevant historical context for them I trained as a historian myself, and know how hard it is to do it well..

Like you, l found the comment section an oasis. Yes, it’s an echo chamber, but one populated by intelligent, articulate, courteous, and friendly observers. And they are often, like me, Of A Certain Age 😁

Unlike you l live in an overwhelmingly blue state, but one in which national politics takes a back seat to local matters.

I utterly detest Mr. Trump, who has proven himself to be the antithesis of all that is good, decent, and honorable. There is no truth in him.

I am somewhat sympathetic to certain Trump supporters, misguided though they be. They’re not wrong about being betrayed, though they place blame in the wrong places. I have no time for the cynical or evil ones, and you can’t fix the stupid ones. We might be able to make some progress with the ignorant but well-meaning ones, but only if we don’t get too full of ourselves.

I remain optimistic about our country, but only if we return and remain faithful to our founding principles.

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Pam Taylor's avatar

Wonderful words and thoughts!

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Ally House (Oregon)'s avatar

That's an excellent pre-Letters From an American article, Gary!

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Jennifer Britton's avatar

Thanks for the link.

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