I wonder how many insurrectionists and other MAGA and GOP voters can tell you who Thatcher was or Liz Truss is, or what supply-side economic mythology is, or why Brexit continues to hurt the UK and Europe, or what mega-donors demand from the GOP. Even scarier, I wonder how many of them even care. Fox News isn't going to tell them the tru…
I wonder how many insurrectionists and other MAGA and GOP voters can tell you who Thatcher was or Liz Truss is, or what supply-side economic mythology is, or why Brexit continues to hurt the UK and Europe, or what mega-donors demand from the GOP. Even scarier, I wonder how many of them even care. Fox News isn't going to tell them the truth, and it's easier to just believe what Fox and Trump and other demagogues tell them.
I hope I can come back in about 30-50 years to see what the history books, including Dr. Richardson, have to say about these intense recent decades. Whew!
Agree, Laurie. I kinda doubt that MAGA crazies, Trump, or Fox folks understand or care about what supply side economic mythology is. And some days WaPo, NYT and their journalists also seem rather ignorant and uninterested. The subject takes them away from their obsession with simplistic and meaningless polls asking stupid questions about voter fears of inflation, prices, etc. The level of ignorance and failure to educate and inform the public about economic issues is depressing.
Please read Kenneth Vogel's recent NYTimes reporting on Leonard Leo. (Sadly the Times has not given it the play it deserves. But it is still available.)
"An investigation by The New York Times of Mr. Leo’s activities reveals new details of how he has built that network, with relatively little public attention, into one of the best-funded and most sophisticated operations in American politics, giving him extraordinary influence as he pushes a broad array of hot-button conservative causes and seeks to counter what he sees as an increasing leftward tilt in society."
Thank you, though knowledge is a terrifying thing. I’m left feeling hopeless and helpless. As a right-there-in-the-middle class American, my feeble attempts at saving our democracy seem just that. How can writing postcards come up against such indecent amounts of dark money? What good does passing out voter materials door-to-door, standing on corners waving signs, marching, sending paltry amounts of donations to candidates do? All of you wonderful people who offer so much knowledge daily, what do we do?
Hi, Sue, it is so tempting to accept the hopelessness that is triggered by the kind of news you referred to. That's one of the reasons I call on the following:
* I subscribe to Robert Hubbell along with HCR, because his whole premise is optimism + action. So there are lots of stories of action and successes in the comments
* I hold in my heart Dr. King, "Hatred does not drive out hatred. Only love can do that." I believe in the power of love (in spiritual terms, God's love) and the notion of oneness, which means that each positive action any one of us takes affects the whole.
* Rachel Maddow's new podcast tells the story of an attempted coup in the 1940's promoted by a Catholic priest whose fascist based radio show reached an equivalent of 30 million listeners in today's population. There were calls to arms, planned bombings and lots more, and it was stopped. We've been through this before and we will get through it again. There are thousands and thousands of activists whose energy is focused on supporting true democracy.
*And finally, my very favorite Frank Capra movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington about a young senator's efforts to challenge the greed and power and corruption of the state's power grabbing villain. Smith is so discouraged and about to give up, when his assistant (who used to be so cynical but is inspired by him) finds him at the Lincoln memorial and encourages him to continue his fight. She reminds him that the power grabbers of the world are not more powerful, "Their kind just makes more noise that's all." Blessings,
While I applaud your power of positivism, there is the factor of super wealth being concentrated into the hands of the few. The potency of the war being waged from the political right is fueled substantially by the very wealthy, who also happen to be more on the side of right-wing thought. The political "left" is not aggressive; too passive. Being aggressive and pugilistic does not translate into hatred. It does translate into taking a stand on solid footing, being unwilling to compromise unless there is compromise in its most authentic context. I do not see current-day Republicans as willing to compromise in any context. They do not want to share the universe. They want to rule the universe.
I urge you NOT to be hopeless. The helpless part I get. If we lose hope, they have us right where they want us. We automatically become victim to their treachery.
I am sitting here feeling exactly the same way. This is scary. My small donations and my steadfast belief that right will still prevail seem so very small and futile. Better angels where are you?
The press should be doing more of this sort of reporting. This has been my complaint. One has to be like a detective to find these articles. This is why I read press outside of the US as much as inside. One needs to. I have been concerned about the Opus Dei contingent which is what Leo is. The Theocracy that our nation has become is not what it is supposed to be moving towards. We are supposed to be gaining understanding of what this country can be, not moving back in history. They are all about putting themselves at the top and holding onto that power. Clarence Thomas is just a flunkey who helps them as is Amy Coney Barrett. They are helping the White men hold and consolidate power. Rich, propertied white men keep what they had when the constitution was written and not give an inch. They want subservient women and everyone else to be slaves and indentured servants.
Trevor Noth made some potent obervations on MSNBC Tuesday (maybe Wednesday) night with Alex Wagner. His take is that news media either needs to tell the truth and consequences to educate the public - or - come flat out and say they are presenting "stories" because they are good for ratings (which translates into $$$ for the network). The news networks were much more valuable before the demise of the Fairness Doctrine under Reagan.
From what I have read about Leo, which I admit has not been a whole lot, I conclude he has a very dark and sinister aspect which propels him to be an overlord. Our constitutional democracy is being upended by Leo and his cohorts. The average American who is out of touch with this treachery will suffer sudden and painful whiplash when they learn about what has been taking place before their very eyes.
Amazing how demonic and satanic the Roman Church is and has been. NOW, six RC's sit at the Supreme Court. Cruelty is one of the Roman Catholic afflictions. I also am reminded of Pope Pius XII, who hated the Jews and turned them over to the Nazis. It has been written that Pius DID change his ways, but not before a lot of damage had been done. Do those people and their kind ever consider the fact that without Judaism, Christianity would not exist?
He is only one of the horde with money to influence the nuts on the side of money. The people be damned. Scream socialism or libtard, and the poor sods vote Republican while cashing their SS checks. National insanity never turns out well, even for the rich bastards who are already licking their chops.
Funny story for you. I had a friend (he was older and passed now) who lived out in the sticks where my farm is so I helped and befriended him but he was a big Trump lover and Fox watcher. A good guy though. Smart as a whip.
Well, this guy graduated high school, here in NY, and he went to work for the NY Public School system as a janitor back when they had something called Tier 1 retirement. Tier 1 retirement was the GOLDEN retirement none of us will ever have.
It offered 80% of final pay and free health care for life and the Tier 1 people paid essentially nothing in. Hence, I pay for their 80% of final pay and free health care, all day, every day, with my taxes here in NY.
This guy retired, as a Janitor, making $45,000 per year. Salaries are public here.
He retired at 60 and passed last summer at 89. You can do the math at 80% how much he pulled in after he retired from my taxes.
At any rate, one morning I was having breakfast with him obviously right after a fake blonde on Fox got him all excited about Socialism because he was ranting about Democrats wanting everything to go to "Socialism".
So, I asked him: "Bill, Socialism is sure working for you though right". He looked puzzled for a second and growled in an ugly way: "What the hell do you mean by that Mike".
I said, well, "Bill, you spent your entire career collecting a spectacular salary from the state, paid for by me, and, now, in retirement, you are probably going to offer to pay for my breakfast because you have money running out of your ears in retirement......paid for by me".
"Bill, your entire adult life was made wonderful by Socialism but apparently you don't want me to share in the fun party you are having".
Jeri, he glowered at me for LONG time. Then, he said: "Mike, PEACE".
And never brought it up again.
All over America people are benefitting from Government support, but, the more they get, the less they recognize it and definitely they don't want to share.
Like, for example: FARMERS. Farmers would not exist in this country without government support but? They will all vote for Trump or whatever deadhead Republican the Billionaires pick next time.
In fact, FARMERS get huge "crop subsidies".
Which? Really means Welfare for White People right? There are almost NO black farmers.
But, we don't call "crop subsidies" Welfare for White People right? We only call welfare that help we give to black people.
I hereby and henceforth call Crop Subsidies: Welfare for WHITE PEOPLE.
Like I have said: "The Problem with America..is"..well.....you already know and agree.
I bet your friend also benefited from Medicare another socialist program and perhaps even had a mortgage interest tax dodge as well. Both are also mostly White People welfare.
Thanks for the comment and story Mike. "Boomerang" by Michael Lewis, is an related eye opener if by chance you haven't read it. The story of Valejo, CA and "Henry the Pheasant", particularly. The Henry story illustrates the importance of something other than-"getting whatever one can, whenever one can, just because one can" and being blind to the consequences-such as the janitor and farmers in your post.
Henry was a pheasant, living on a Churchill estate in the UK-that found himself a tourist attraction-people constantly fed him-so he ate whenever he wanted, just because he could-and became so overweight that he couldn't fly-and was eaten by a fox. As I recall, the moral of the story from Lewis was that on the human side of things, realizing the consequences of our actions and changing accordingly is a choice-and if we don't change-things can get so bad that the consequences cannot be ignored.
As with the GI Bill and voting rights, Black farmers have been written out of government subsidies for farmers and flagrantly denied access. Many have not been able to continue farming. There is a back to farming the land movement and litigation to remedy some of the injustices.
I want to read storied of a Liberal machine empowered with a mission support, train and refine thinking of young idealistic law students throughout the leading educational institutions of our country. More desperately needed than ever.
What a beautiful illustration of finding the moment and acting on it. Normally we’ve learned to not waste our breath on Trumpers, but this sure worked out!
Sorry but not all farmers are Trumpers and I dare say that you might have a poor understanding of farm subsidies. Don’t generalize until you’ll know the facts. Also, do not lump all farmers together as some are the wealthy corporate types and the rest are trying to eek out a living with long hours of work and sacrifice. We need them and their work products. If I sound a little offended it’s because I grew up on a small farm, still own the farm, and don’t fit your stereotype.
What fraction of those struggling farmers voted for Trump? I gather you didn’t vote for Trump at either opportunity, and good for you if that’s the correct inference, but it’s the percentage that tells us how to assess the group. Not all white people are racists, for example, but most are, and that’s important to know.
What you have written is the truth. It is also true for every public servants employed by any government agency from public schools, police, fire departments, etc. all the way up to the elected members of our government. I'd like to see ONE Republcan who complains about Social Security/Medicare give back their perpetual salaries/benefits received after serving a minimum amount of time in office. (We won't make them more uncomfortable in reminding them they have approved benefits and regulations that either apply only to them - without the voters' consent - or exempt them from rules that apply to others.)
"I'd like to see ONE Republcan who complains about Social Security/Medicare give back their perpetual salaries/benefits received after serving a minimum amount of time in office." NO KIDDING!
Good guy? No. Hell no! People like that guy, 74 million of them, are “The Problem with America,” as you put it. You are a good guy. Your friend wasn’t. Good riddance to him. One down, 74 million to go.
Rex, thanks for the comment. For what it's worth-I understand and agree with your angst towards the guy that Mike mentioned. Maybe I took you too literally and my apologies if I did.
That said, some thoughts to consider. The importance of honor and decency in a democracy has been mentioned many times in this forum. It comes from Dr. HRC's interview with President Biden. If we focus on honor and decency as a measure of how best to move forward, then we can recognize and constructively act upon several things:
-A bunch of indecent, dishonorable people thought it was OK to not only "write off" millions of Americans with whom they disagree-they also saw no problem in a violent insurrection.
-Wouldn't it be better to acknowledge that we CAN disagree with even 74 million Americans, without just writing them off? ...Educate people with whom we disagree-ask them to focus more on honor and decency and hope if not expect that they will follow our example?
So, our ballots arrived yesterday here in Salem, Oregon. We are in the new US House district 6. However, on the state level house race, we have a guy running as both a R and a D who is a total nut case. We think we were sacrificed to get the US House district drawn as it is. So we have contacted our friend in the know as to who we can write in. We used to have Ds at the state level for both house and senate. But not now.
I believe Oregon Indivisibles are backing Andrea Salinas (Democrat/ Working Families Party / Independent Party). I've heard good things about her. I'm in Astoria.
I agree about Salinas. She did a remarkable job, and it appalls me that she is not on the ballot. Please do your best to convince people to write her in. You all deserve her, and you will not regret having her if she wins. Remarkable, hard-working, insightful. She has my respect, for what that's worth. Wish I were back in Oregon to help out.
Our friend says its bright red and not worth the time or money for a D to run. She suggested we donate to others and we have. She also included a dinner invite to go out on New Year's Eve, so there's that. We did this before the pandemic and it's good we can do it once again.
The head of Patagonia just gave away his company. I bought from them for years. A wonderful man. Yvon Chouinard. I tried to share the NYT article from a week or so ago. Look him up. He is fighting climate change with his donation.
Agree, Lin. It was an excellent article. One question is how NYT and other media can give these investigations more attention. I’m thinking that many journalists lack a basic understanding of inflation, how oil and gas pricing works, etc. They then focus on the simple stuff, ie summarizing what uninformed voters think. Honestly, I’m glad I turned 80 and don’t have to watch it all for another 30-50 years.
The “conservative” rich people paying for this political “transformation” are coming to light. The rich liberals who created our current government are not as well organized and apparently not as well funded. Defense is a difficult operation….
The rest of us seem to be only pawns in this rich vs rich battle for the soul of our country.
Mike, thank you for sharing and gifting this story. Is there no way to stop this train wreck? Are we bound to destroy our Democracy with Leo and his dark money legacy at the helm? His influence is so deeply entrenched in the courts and the politics of the repugs how can we fight against this machine? It’s a disease that is now part of the genetic makeup of the GOP, and ((USA?) beyond who is elected or in office. Capitalism out of control and beyond the control of the rule of law?
lin! I have thought of you often. Are you in the photo, complete with chalk script, of the protestors at L.L.'s home? I hope you are still there defending our democracy! Bless you!
The Republican scare tactics have ensured that most of the MAGA folks are looking the other way at those things that frighten them, ie. difference, change, inclusivity etc. They've been convinced to vote against their own economic interests and instead, continue to externalize their problems on "those people" - fill in whichever group they fear the most.
That level of ignorance, willful or otherwise, is also essential to the success of people like McCarthy, McConnell and the failed insurrectionist. The Democrats need to be about educating people in thoughtful, patient but no uncertain terms about what they would do to deal with the economic and social concerns we currently face.
While I agree that the Dems need to be more focused on informing people, especially those who aren't all that savvy about economics etc., but it's not just a lack of information that leads them to keep voting for those Repubs. It's also their fears about being "replaced" by non-whites and passed by, by technological changes. Many of them yearn for a time that will never be again, a time when it was clear who was in charge, and what the future held for themselves and their children.
No doubt about that, but so far the Democrats have offered nothing positive as an option other than access to abortion which doesn't impact most of them in a practical way and an assortment of large scale economic programs that also don't have an immediate practical impact. Something like legislation to support Social Security by removing the income cap, possibly accompanied by an increase in the full eligibility age, is highly visible and, given the current GOP attacks on Social Security and Medicare, also immediately impactful both emotionally and financially.
Love your verbiage, hate the image of chump’s ugly arse though. That so many MAGAts love him is a testimony to the poor taste of the cult nuts. But the repub “elite” abhor him and use his ugly arse as the means to rob the country blind.
Our fall colors in the Wisconsin's Driftless Area have also been especially spectacular this year. My 3-year old granddaughter was out to our farm and exclaimed," Grandma, the trees are yellow and orange!
Mike, friends from around the country have been commenting on spectacular colors. In the Chicago area, there was a radio news clip a few days back from the Morton Arboretum talking about the colors. Sadly, my mind goes to "is this a harbinger of climate change extinction?" which is the state of mind these days. Thanks to the support and encouragement of others here, I am up to 50 postcards and 80 letters to voters. Perhaps crazy, but as I write each one, I put some positive vibes out into the universe as I think on them as I address the envelopes.
If they manage to take control of the Federal government (or even enough state governments), I think you'll find their power is a lot more substantial than you think.
You want to know how the kind of filth being spewed over at The Federalist turns out? Read some history. It doesn't even have to be recent history. The result is always violent and ugly and eventually everybody loses.
"Don't worry too much"? Seriously? Maybe if Germans had worried more about Hitler or the Russians had worried more about Stalin or the Chinese had worried more about Mao or the Spanish had worried more about Franco or, for that matter, if the Romans had worried more about Caligula a lot of unnecessary bloodshed and destruction might have been avoided.
Sure, there will be beautiful falls even if the USA falls apart completely. Also if Western civilization collapses and the human race is reduced to a state of Medieval barbarism or, better yet, finally kills itself off. Hell, they'll probably be MORE beautiful when we're all gone.
Oh, I take mental health breaks on a regular basis. I just think we need to avoid adopting "don't worry be happy" as a general philosophy. I prefer "do what you can and try to let the rest go."
Mike, there is a book I read quite a few years back ‘How It Ends: From You to the Universe’ by Chris Impey, professor of Astronomy. Despite the subject, it is in no way depressing and is a fascinating read.
I believe the sun will expand into red giant state, which will absorb most of the planets in our solar system, but hey that is 4.5 billion years away, so nothing to worry about.
I’ve thought that too. I’ve had to face the fact I won’t be here 15 years from now when the history of tfg’s criminality and administration is written (I soaked up the books on Watergate). I hope there’s a library in heaven, or first row seats to watch what’s going on on earth.
As the lyrics say….’we are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon’…closest to religion that I can come is ‘may the force be with you’…and know that nothing is ever really lost, it just transmutes into the elements of our universe. I mean, really, how cool is that?!
The 'Truth Teller' on Liz Truss was the Bond Market. The market seized and started to not function requiring Bank of England liquidity intervention, the Pound crashed and the economic train was heading to a head on collision with at least a Recession or worse. That is before we toss in inflation and crushing energy prices.
The crash of the pound was such that had I gotten paid in mid-September (as should have) for the work I did on a book project for a publisher over there, rather than yesterday as I was, my bank account would have been $500 better off with the exchange rate in September. But I am glad they waited till they did to make payment, since if it had been a week earlier the loss would have been $1,000.
TC, While you might be right, as one who has vowed never to pull back from taking the fight to the Republican Party, I understood HCR’s final 2 paragraphs to imply that the only failure would be quitting.
The Dems that I hear from whine, predict defeat, and never mention the Republican vow to destroy the working man’s world. Surely the “free press” would carry a press conference or two.
Jeri, While I’m not clear how your reply relates to my comment, I would note that I believe Dems must go on the offensive and take the fight to Republicans who have opposed every bit of legislation introduced by Democrats to redress the massive income and wealth inequality that decade after decade increases exponentially.
Interesting idea, Free Press. This NYT article on Leonard Leo and dark money is so important for every citizen to read and know about. But it’s not freely available, except thanks to the generosity of a subscriber. My subscription lapsed when the accounts department messed up my account. And I spent too many hours trying to fix it. So thanks again for sharing.
I plan on looking on from planet Earth in 30 days to see what is said about the blue tsunami that will crush the puny, shortsighted, selfish, traitorous, stupid MAGAts agenda. And please remember, “stupid” is a choice they have made.
Democracy is as strong as its people. I’m confident.
"Democracy is as strong as its people." Yes, it is. That's the problem. If a large enough minority don't want a democracy, we won't have one. We're seeing that in action right now in states that have Gerrymandered a minority into permanent power. It doesn't matter what the majority thinks or even how they vote if the minority has the power to stop them from voting or simply decides to ignore their votes entirely.
"You know, comrades, what I think in regard to this: I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this — who will count the votes, and how." Josef Stalin, quoted in Boris Bazhanov's "Memoirs of Stalin's Former Secretary", 1992. The "Republican" party is working from Stalin's playbook.
Very few! I bet they know a lot about Michael Flynn! I watched Frontline on PBS last night! "Michael Flynn's Holy War". It explains a whole lot about the January 6th insurrection. Hopefully, there are more of us than of them. I was shocked at the people and comments. And to think that they are doing this in the name of Christianity!
I watched it too, and it really put fear into my heart! That traitor, Flynn, has a lot of power and is building his own "Christian" warrior cult. These people are serious.
Yes, good point. And Dems simply have not figured out how to use and focus on the word myth or mythology as a way of responding to GOP focus on inflation etc. Many blue collar folks blindly think GOP is better with business.
I have to confess that when I see projections about all sorts of things into the future, I always think if we are still here. It is clear to me that we are in the process of destroying the planet with incredible greed among other things. One of the problems i see locally in terms of making any change for any problem is that we have a set of people who can't seem to understand that it may take a number of smaller steps. They want it all or they won't vote for it. An example is a state wide proposition which takes some steps to address the gun problem. It isn't perfect, but it was put on the ballot by a coalition of people, religious leaders among them, to make a start. I belong to a few progressive Facebook pages here in Salem and sure enough, someone was not going to vote for it because it doesn't go far enough. Then there was an ongoing fight on who should even belong to a group which was devolving into a purity contest. That attitude helped bring us death star.
Could be. It's also true that we humans have managed to survive for thousands of years and accomplished some marvelous things as well, so perhaps we'll manage to overcome our worst faults.
I wonder how many insurrectionists and other MAGA and GOP voters can tell you who Thatcher was or Liz Truss is, or what supply-side economic mythology is, or why Brexit continues to hurt the UK and Europe, or what mega-donors demand from the GOP. Even scarier, I wonder how many of them even care. Fox News isn't going to tell them the truth, and it's easier to just believe what Fox and Trump and other demagogues tell them.
I hope I can come back in about 30-50 years to see what the history books, including Dr. Richardson, have to say about these intense recent decades. Whew!
Agree, Laurie. I kinda doubt that MAGA crazies, Trump, or Fox folks understand or care about what supply side economic mythology is. And some days WaPo, NYT and their journalists also seem rather ignorant and uninterested. The subject takes them away from their obsession with simplistic and meaningless polls asking stupid questions about voter fears of inflation, prices, etc. The level of ignorance and failure to educate and inform the public about economic issues is depressing.
Please read Kenneth Vogel's recent NYTimes reporting on Leonard Leo. (Sadly the Times has not given it the play it deserves. But it is still available.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/12/us/politics/leonard-leo-courts-dark-money.html
"An investigation by The New York Times of Mr. Leo’s activities reveals new details of how he has built that network, with relatively little public attention, into one of the best-funded and most sophisticated operations in American politics, giving him extraordinary influence as he pushes a broad array of hot-button conservative causes and seeks to counter what he sees as an increasing leftward tilt in society."
Gift link. The article about Leo reads like a dark, conspiracy laden novel:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/12/us/politics/leonard-leo-courts-dark-money.html?unlocked_article_code=L1c3CQCOFDuGZBMrRXA_MpGZ24Ort_ATLxQ8t0B5FcWvO8EeoQZ9wCxplz6dBhm6V-ZYK_lbjHY-0Ij6ueS2-Ha9T2MTAmX4tHHtJK2g2CCnIeseCGYgiBzqK0cBVEziidg2tXwTgXCl2PEzZTa06mLg4CTIuginguFoGaiqQ4OYsdYz-Sj9o_LSi9xj8rfViQ6Ub3Co0A7QA91mtVgfiNmQ84B4aRljs0CpCQ4zpHzeS1pUT2pHtpzRpc_pF-v-_pOKXT6ETNXaraqBd_SYfsLzhZ30frdasVd4hQMWT4fBW8aLX_MhiCrdhwSrQJwUiIw-rnvdJmz5_MaGtbZNKI_lBD89DC0rBnc2&smid=share-url
ThankYou Mike S. for thinking of that and correcting my error. I am sorry I did not think of that.
No problem. The article is well worth reading and thank YOU for pointing it out.
Mike
Great use of gift links.
I love these gift links. Thx. -saw-
Thank you, though knowledge is a terrifying thing. I’m left feeling hopeless and helpless. As a right-there-in-the-middle class American, my feeble attempts at saving our democracy seem just that. How can writing postcards come up against such indecent amounts of dark money? What good does passing out voter materials door-to-door, standing on corners waving signs, marching, sending paltry amounts of donations to candidates do? All of you wonderful people who offer so much knowledge daily, what do we do?
Hi Sue, This is what helps me.
"Darkness marches on, but so does illumination. Hatred marches on, but so does love. Greed marches on. So does charity.
"Fascists march on. We will march on also.
"Evil doesn’t get extinguished—it just gets beaten back and beaten down over and over and over again.
"Right now it’s our turn to do the beating.
"If we do our jobs well, future generations will be able to take their turns more ably. That’s why we’re here; that’s why we act."
--Jessica Craven, Chop Wood, Carry Water, Substack, October 6, 2022
Thank you.
Laurie and Jessica Craven, bless you both.
I feel so much as you do! But at least we can keep on with what we're doing.
Hi, Sue, it is so tempting to accept the hopelessness that is triggered by the kind of news you referred to. That's one of the reasons I call on the following:
* I subscribe to Robert Hubbell along with HCR, because his whole premise is optimism + action. So there are lots of stories of action and successes in the comments
* I hold in my heart Dr. King, "Hatred does not drive out hatred. Only love can do that." I believe in the power of love (in spiritual terms, God's love) and the notion of oneness, which means that each positive action any one of us takes affects the whole.
* Rachel Maddow's new podcast tells the story of an attempted coup in the 1940's promoted by a Catholic priest whose fascist based radio show reached an equivalent of 30 million listeners in today's population. There were calls to arms, planned bombings and lots more, and it was stopped. We've been through this before and we will get through it again. There are thousands and thousands of activists whose energy is focused on supporting true democracy.
*And finally, my very favorite Frank Capra movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington about a young senator's efforts to challenge the greed and power and corruption of the state's power grabbing villain. Smith is so discouraged and about to give up, when his assistant (who used to be so cynical but is inspired by him) finds him at the Lincoln memorial and encourages him to continue his fight. She reminds him that the power grabbers of the world are not more powerful, "Their kind just makes more noise that's all." Blessings,
While I applaud your power of positivism, there is the factor of super wealth being concentrated into the hands of the few. The potency of the war being waged from the political right is fueled substantially by the very wealthy, who also happen to be more on the side of right-wing thought. The political "left" is not aggressive; too passive. Being aggressive and pugilistic does not translate into hatred. It does translate into taking a stand on solid footing, being unwilling to compromise unless there is compromise in its most authentic context. I do not see current-day Republicans as willing to compromise in any context. They do not want to share the universe. They want to rule the universe.
I urge you NOT to be hopeless. The helpless part I get. If we lose hope, they have us right where they want us. We automatically become victim to their treachery.
I am sitting here feeling exactly the same way. This is scary. My small donations and my steadfast belief that right will still prevail seem so very small and futile. Better angels where are you?
The press should be doing more of this sort of reporting. This has been my complaint. One has to be like a detective to find these articles. This is why I read press outside of the US as much as inside. One needs to. I have been concerned about the Opus Dei contingent which is what Leo is. The Theocracy that our nation has become is not what it is supposed to be moving towards. We are supposed to be gaining understanding of what this country can be, not moving back in history. They are all about putting themselves at the top and holding onto that power. Clarence Thomas is just a flunkey who helps them as is Amy Coney Barrett. They are helping the White men hold and consolidate power. Rich, propertied white men keep what they had when the constitution was written and not give an inch. They want subservient women and everyone else to be slaves and indentured servants.
Trevor Noth made some potent obervations on MSNBC Tuesday (maybe Wednesday) night with Alex Wagner. His take is that news media either needs to tell the truth and consequences to educate the public - or - come flat out and say they are presenting "stories" because they are good for ratings (which translates into $$$ for the network). The news networks were much more valuable before the demise of the Fairness Doctrine under Reagan.
I'm sure they were! It should be revived.
I believe you mean Trevor NoAH.?
From what I have read about Leo, which I admit has not been a whole lot, I conclude he has a very dark and sinister aspect which propels him to be an overlord. Our constitutional democracy is being upended by Leo and his cohorts. The average American who is out of touch with this treachery will suffer sudden and painful whiplash when they learn about what has been taking place before their very eyes.
Leo is DARK, a soulless power-wielding ideologue who will rain terror down upon a free society.
Not unlike his Catholic predecessor, Pope Innocent XIII, who defined both witchcraft and the torture to be applied to those practicing it.
Amazing how demonic and satanic the Roman Church is and has been. NOW, six RC's sit at the Supreme Court. Cruelty is one of the Roman Catholic afflictions. I also am reminded of Pope Pius XII, who hated the Jews and turned them over to the Nazis. It has been written that Pius DID change his ways, but not before a lot of damage had been done. Do those people and their kind ever consider the fact that without Judaism, Christianity would not exist?
Mike
I really appreciate your gifting articles. Thanks a bunch.
He is only one of the horde with money to influence the nuts on the side of money. The people be damned. Scream socialism or libtard, and the poor sods vote Republican while cashing their SS checks. National insanity never turns out well, even for the rich bastards who are already licking their chops.
Jeri,
Funny story for you. I had a friend (he was older and passed now) who lived out in the sticks where my farm is so I helped and befriended him but he was a big Trump lover and Fox watcher. A good guy though. Smart as a whip.
Well, this guy graduated high school, here in NY, and he went to work for the NY Public School system as a janitor back when they had something called Tier 1 retirement. Tier 1 retirement was the GOLDEN retirement none of us will ever have.
It offered 80% of final pay and free health care for life and the Tier 1 people paid essentially nothing in. Hence, I pay for their 80% of final pay and free health care, all day, every day, with my taxes here in NY.
This guy retired, as a Janitor, making $45,000 per year. Salaries are public here.
He retired at 60 and passed last summer at 89. You can do the math at 80% how much he pulled in after he retired from my taxes.
At any rate, one morning I was having breakfast with him obviously right after a fake blonde on Fox got him all excited about Socialism because he was ranting about Democrats wanting everything to go to "Socialism".
So, I asked him: "Bill, Socialism is sure working for you though right". He looked puzzled for a second and growled in an ugly way: "What the hell do you mean by that Mike".
I said, well, "Bill, you spent your entire career collecting a spectacular salary from the state, paid for by me, and, now, in retirement, you are probably going to offer to pay for my breakfast because you have money running out of your ears in retirement......paid for by me".
"Bill, your entire adult life was made wonderful by Socialism but apparently you don't want me to share in the fun party you are having".
Jeri, he glowered at me for LONG time. Then, he said: "Mike, PEACE".
And never brought it up again.
All over America people are benefitting from Government support, but, the more they get, the less they recognize it and definitely they don't want to share.
Like, for example: FARMERS. Farmers would not exist in this country without government support but? They will all vote for Trump or whatever deadhead Republican the Billionaires pick next time.
In fact, FARMERS get huge "crop subsidies".
Which? Really means Welfare for White People right? There are almost NO black farmers.
But, we don't call "crop subsidies" Welfare for White People right? We only call welfare that help we give to black people.
I hereby and henceforth call Crop Subsidies: Welfare for WHITE PEOPLE.
Like I have said: "The Problem with America..is"..well.....you already know and agree.
I bet your friend also benefited from Medicare another socialist program and perhaps even had a mortgage interest tax dodge as well. Both are also mostly White People welfare.
Thanks for the comment and story Mike. "Boomerang" by Michael Lewis, is an related eye opener if by chance you haven't read it. The story of Valejo, CA and "Henry the Pheasant", particularly. The Henry story illustrates the importance of something other than-"getting whatever one can, whenever one can, just because one can" and being blind to the consequences-such as the janitor and farmers in your post.
Henry was a pheasant, living on a Churchill estate in the UK-that found himself a tourist attraction-people constantly fed him-so he ate whenever he wanted, just because he could-and became so overweight that he couldn't fly-and was eaten by a fox. As I recall, the moral of the story from Lewis was that on the human side of things, realizing the consequences of our actions and changing accordingly is a choice-and if we don't change-things can get so bad that the consequences cannot be ignored.
Thanks again for your post.
Michael Lewis is incredible. Thanks.
As with the GI Bill and voting rights, Black farmers have been written out of government subsidies for farmers and flagrantly denied access. Many have not been able to continue farming. There is a back to farming the land movement and litigation to remedy some of the injustices.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/historically-denied-pivotal-loans-black-farmers-still-struggle-to-get-support
I want to read storied of a Liberal machine empowered with a mission support, train and refine thinking of young idealistic law students throughout the leading educational institutions of our country. More desperately needed than ever.
Sad, isn't it? Same as the folks who scream, " Keep the government out of my Medicare!"
And those who condemn government and turn to government when the floods and fires come.
What a beautiful illustration of finding the moment and acting on it. Normally we’ve learned to not waste our breath on Trumpers, but this sure worked out!
Silence does not indicate agreement.
Worked out? How do you figure?
Sorry but not all farmers are Trumpers and I dare say that you might have a poor understanding of farm subsidies. Don’t generalize until you’ll know the facts. Also, do not lump all farmers together as some are the wealthy corporate types and the rest are trying to eek out a living with long hours of work and sacrifice. We need them and their work products. If I sound a little offended it’s because I grew up on a small farm, still own the farm, and don’t fit your stereotype.
I try to remember that not ALL of any group are the same - either for the good or not. Thank you for reminding us.
What fraction of those struggling farmers voted for Trump? I gather you didn’t vote for Trump at either opportunity, and good for you if that’s the correct inference, but it’s the percentage that tells us how to assess the group. Not all white people are racists, for example, but most are, and that’s important to know.
Tell it!
Terrific story, Mike. Would that we all could be that effective with our known holdouts in friends and family!!
Wise words Mike!
Great story Mike.
What you have written is the truth. It is also true for every public servants employed by any government agency from public schools, police, fire departments, etc. all the way up to the elected members of our government. I'd like to see ONE Republcan who complains about Social Security/Medicare give back their perpetual salaries/benefits received after serving a minimum amount of time in office. (We won't make them more uncomfortable in reminding them they have approved benefits and regulations that either apply only to them - without the voters' consent - or exempt them from rules that apply to others.)
"I'd like to see ONE Republcan who complains about Social Security/Medicare give back their perpetual salaries/benefits received after serving a minimum amount of time in office." NO KIDDING!
Good guy? No. Hell no! People like that guy, 74 million of them, are “The Problem with America,” as you put it. You are a good guy. Your friend wasn’t. Good riddance to him. One down, 74 million to go.
Rex, thanks for the comment. For what it's worth-I understand and agree with your angst towards the guy that Mike mentioned. Maybe I took you too literally and my apologies if I did.
That said, some thoughts to consider. The importance of honor and decency in a democracy has been mentioned many times in this forum. It comes from Dr. HRC's interview with President Biden. If we focus on honor and decency as a measure of how best to move forward, then we can recognize and constructively act upon several things:
-A bunch of indecent, dishonorable people thought it was OK to not only "write off" millions of Americans with whom they disagree-they also saw no problem in a violent insurrection.
-Wouldn't it be better to acknowledge that we CAN disagree with even 74 million Americans, without just writing them off? ...Educate people with whom we disagree-ask them to focus more on honor and decency and hope if not expect that they will follow our example?
Thanks again and have a great weekend.
Mike S, right on 👏
So, our ballots arrived yesterday here in Salem, Oregon. We are in the new US House district 6. However, on the state level house race, we have a guy running as both a R and a D who is a total nut case. We think we were sacrificed to get the US House district drawn as it is. So we have contacted our friend in the know as to who we can write in. We used to have Ds at the state level for both house and senate. But not now.
I believe Oregon Indivisibles are backing Andrea Salinas (Democrat/ Working Families Party / Independent Party). I've heard good things about her. I'm in Astoria.
Yes, they are. Nasty ads about her from Erickson. We have donated. Now we that we have our ballots, we will vote.
I agree about Salinas. She did a remarkable job, and it appalls me that she is not on the ballot. Please do your best to convince people to write her in. You all deserve her, and you will not regret having her if she wins. Remarkable, hard-working, insightful. She has my respect, for what that's worth. Wish I were back in Oregon to help out.
Our friend says its bright red and not worth the time or money for a D to run. She suggested we donate to others and we have. She also included a dinner invite to go out on New Year's Eve, so there's that. We did this before the pandemic and it's good we can do it once again.
Are there no billionaires out there who support democracy and democratic initiatives?
The head of Patagonia just gave away his company. I bought from them for years. A wonderful man. Yvon Chouinard. I tried to share the NYT article from a week or so ago. Look him up. He is fighting climate change with his donation.
Saw that.
George Soros. For one.
But, boy, does the new Republican Party blame him for everything in their conspiracies.
Agree, Lin. It was an excellent article. One question is how NYT and other media can give these investigations more attention. I’m thinking that many journalists lack a basic understanding of inflation, how oil and gas pricing works, etc. They then focus on the simple stuff, ie summarizing what uninformed voters think. Honestly, I’m glad I turned 80 and don’t have to watch it all for another 30-50 years.
I hit the pay wall. 😕
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/12/us/politics/leonard-leo-courts-dark-money.html?unlocked_article_code=L1c3CQCOFDuGZBMrRXA_MpGZ24Ort_ATLxQ8t0B5FcWvO8EeoQZ9wCxplz6dBhm6V-ZYK_lbjHY-0Ij6ueS2-Ha9T2MTAmX4tHHtJK2g2CCnIeseCGYgiBzqK0cBVEziidg2tXwTgXCl2PEzZTa06mLg4CTIuginguFoGaiqQ4OYsdYz-Sj9o_LSi9xj8rfViQ6Ub3Co0A7QA91mtVgfiNmQ84B4aRljs0CpCQ4zpHzeS1pUT2pHtpzRpc_pF-v-_pOKXT6ETNXaraqBd_SYfsLzhZ30frdasVd4hQMWT4fBW8aLX_MhiCrdhwSrQJwUiIw-rnvdJmz5_MaGtbZNKI_lBD89DC0rBnc2&smid=share-url
The “conservative” rich people paying for this political “transformation” are coming to light. The rich liberals who created our current government are not as well organized and apparently not as well funded. Defense is a difficult operation….
The rest of us seem to be only pawns in this rich vs rich battle for the soul of our country.
Mike, thank you for sharing and gifting this story. Is there no way to stop this train wreck? Are we bound to destroy our Democracy with Leo and his dark money legacy at the helm? His influence is so deeply entrenched in the courts and the politics of the repugs how can we fight against this machine? It’s a disease that is now part of the genetic makeup of the GOP, and ((USA?) beyond who is elected or in office. Capitalism out of control and beyond the control of the rule of law?
lin! I have thought of you often. Are you in the photo, complete with chalk script, of the protestors at L.L.'s home? I hope you are still there defending our democracy! Bless you!
The Republican scare tactics have ensured that most of the MAGA folks are looking the other way at those things that frighten them, ie. difference, change, inclusivity etc. They've been convinced to vote against their own economic interests and instead, continue to externalize their problems on "those people" - fill in whichever group they fear the most.
That level of ignorance, willful or otherwise, is also essential to the success of people like McCarthy, McConnell and the failed insurrectionist. The Democrats need to be about educating people in thoughtful, patient but no uncertain terms about what they would do to deal with the economic and social concerns we currently face.
While I agree that the Dems need to be more focused on informing people, especially those who aren't all that savvy about economics etc., but it's not just a lack of information that leads them to keep voting for those Repubs. It's also their fears about being "replaced" by non-whites and passed by, by technological changes. Many of them yearn for a time that will never be again, a time when it was clear who was in charge, and what the future held for themselves and their children.
No doubt about that, but so far the Democrats have offered nothing positive as an option other than access to abortion which doesn't impact most of them in a practical way and an assortment of large scale economic programs that also don't have an immediate practical impact. Something like legislation to support Social Security by removing the income cap, possibly accompanied by an increase in the full eligibility age, is highly visible and, given the current GOP attacks on Social Security and Medicare, also immediately impactful both emotionally and financially.
Good ideas. They would need to be "sold" as providing financial security no matter what the economy is doing, and insuring yearly "raises" as in COLA.
Exactly. Removing the income cap would increase OASDI revenue by about $200billion annually.
As I have long opined, the only reason I want to live forever is to find out how it all turns out (on oh so many issues!).
Barbara,
How it turns out?
It turns out that the world keeps spinning on its axis, at least for roughly another 4.5 Billion years or so before the sun goes out.
Look around. This fall?? It was the MOST, MOST beautiful fall I have seen in my lifetime.
virus free google photo link below. Life is filled with beauty EVEN with MAGA people spending all their time puckering up to Trump's arse.
In the below link you can zoom in and fly around by rolling your mouse forward then moving your mouse around......almost like being there.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WHMUHYHb4E7SALnEA
Fall happened and MAGA Republicans could not stop it EVEN with bear spray.
Think about that. MAGA cannot do much EXCEPT suck up to Trump really.
Their power is in their lips mostly. PUCKER power for Trump's arse.
Don't worry too much.
Love your verbiage, hate the image of chump’s ugly arse though. That so many MAGAts love him is a testimony to the poor taste of the cult nuts. But the repub “elite” abhor him and use his ugly arse as the means to rob the country blind.
Thanks for the compliment and my greatest apologies for Trump's huge and unattractive arse.
I will see what I can do (in Photoshop) to make it ever uglier.
:-)
Nice photo, Mike!
And your "life balance" advice is just what I needed between coffee one and coffee two. Thanks.
Thanks Bill.
I am just lucky. And thankful for it.
Our fall colors in the Wisconsin's Driftless Area have also been especially spectacular this year. My 3-year old granddaughter was out to our farm and exclaimed," Grandma, the trees are yellow and orange!
SO beautiful, Mike. Thank you for the breath of fresh air.
Beautiful fall foliage and farm field photo, Mike!
Thank you Rose.
The picture is a tiny fraction of the real feeling standing there watching the sun come up.
I could feel "God". Whatever that means. (not much, but, I could).
No, that IS God. Or at least one manifestation of him/her.
And while I’m reading these responses, we just had the most glorious sunrise!
Mike, friends from around the country have been commenting on spectacular colors. In the Chicago area, there was a radio news clip a few days back from the Morton Arboretum talking about the colors. Sadly, my mind goes to "is this a harbinger of climate change extinction?" which is the state of mind these days. Thanks to the support and encouragement of others here, I am up to 50 postcards and 80 letters to voters. Perhaps crazy, but as I write each one, I put some positive vibes out into the universe as I think on them as I address the envelopes.
Oh, my, Mike. I have been lamenting the lack of colorful foliage this year. Glad to hear it's still rockin' in your neck of the woods!
If they manage to take control of the Federal government (or even enough state governments), I think you'll find their power is a lot more substantial than you think.
You want to know how the kind of filth being spewed over at The Federalist turns out? Read some history. It doesn't even have to be recent history. The result is always violent and ugly and eventually everybody loses.
"Don't worry too much"? Seriously? Maybe if Germans had worried more about Hitler or the Russians had worried more about Stalin or the Chinese had worried more about Mao or the Spanish had worried more about Franco or, for that matter, if the Romans had worried more about Caligula a lot of unnecessary bloodshed and destruction might have been avoided.
Sure, there will be beautiful falls even if the USA falls apart completely. Also if Western civilization collapses and the human race is reduced to a state of Medieval barbarism or, better yet, finally kills itself off. Hell, they'll probably be MORE beautiful when we're all gone.
Not much comfort right now, though.
All true. But if you followed Mike's usual comments you would be just happy he was trying to take a break and have a nice day. Balance.
Oh, I take mental health breaks on a regular basis. I just think we need to avoid adopting "don't worry be happy" as a general philosophy. I prefer "do what you can and try to let the rest go."
Mike, there is a book I read quite a few years back ‘How It Ends: From You to the Universe’ by Chris Impey, professor of Astronomy. Despite the subject, it is in no way depressing and is a fascinating read.
I love your "look on the bright side' philosophy!
"PUCKER power for Trump's arse" 🤣🤣
I believe the sun will expand into red giant state, which will absorb most of the planets in our solar system, but hey that is 4.5 billion years away, so nothing to worry about.
I’ve thought that too. I’ve had to face the fact I won’t be here 15 years from now when the history of tfg’s criminality and administration is written (I soaked up the books on Watergate). I hope there’s a library in heaven, or first row seats to watch what’s going on on earth.
Barbara makes me Laugh Out Loud for real (again).
As do I, Barbara; keeping in mind the spin that will accompany how it all turned out!
Yeah, can you imagine the super massive whirly-gig!
Let's form The HCR Site in the Sky for out future news.
Nah, when I'm gone I'm gone. What I want is to try to leave enough good for my grandkids and their descendants to work with.
As the lyrics say….’we are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon’…closest to religion that I can come is ‘may the force be with you’…and know that nothing is ever really lost, it just transmutes into the elements of our universe. I mean, really, how cool is that?!
💫
💙
The 'Truth Teller' on Liz Truss was the Bond Market. The market seized and started to not function requiring Bank of England liquidity intervention, the Pound crashed and the economic train was heading to a head on collision with at least a Recession or worse. That is before we toss in inflation and crushing energy prices.
The crash of the pound was such that had I gotten paid in mid-September (as should have) for the work I did on a book project for a publisher over there, rather than yesterday as I was, my bank account would have been $500 better off with the exchange rate in September. But I am glad they waited till they did to make payment, since if it had been a week earlier the loss would have been $1,000.
You may have to hold a seance to let me know as I’d be 97 in 30-years never mind in 50-years! 🙃
There won't be a United States for you to come back to.
TC, While you might be right, as one who has vowed never to pull back from taking the fight to the Republican Party, I understood HCR’s final 2 paragraphs to imply that the only failure would be quitting.
With which I completely agree.
The Dems that I hear from whine, predict defeat, and never mention the Republican vow to destroy the working man’s world. Surely the “free press” would carry a press conference or two.
Jeri, While I’m not clear how your reply relates to my comment, I would note that I believe Dems must go on the offensive and take the fight to Republicans who have opposed every bit of legislation introduced by Democrats to redress the massive income and wealth inequality that decade after decade increases exponentially.
Interesting idea, Free Press. This NYT article on Leonard Leo and dark money is so important for every citizen to read and know about. But it’s not freely available, except thanks to the generosity of a subscriber. My subscription lapsed when the accounts department messed up my account. And I spent too many hours trying to fix it. So thanks again for sharing.
And what will happen to Canada?
I have wondered if Russia will use the newly opened sea lanes Inthe Arctic to "access" Canada.
They'll have to build a Big Beautiful Wall. And maybe prepare a flood of political refugees.
And economic or social collapse in the USA will affect Canada, as well. They are one of our biggest trading partners.
I plan on looking on from planet Earth in 30 days to see what is said about the blue tsunami that will crush the puny, shortsighted, selfish, traitorous, stupid MAGAts agenda. And please remember, “stupid” is a choice they have made.
Democracy is as strong as its people. I’m confident.
Unita. 🗽
"Democracy is as strong as its people." Yes, it is. That's the problem. If a large enough minority don't want a democracy, we won't have one. We're seeing that in action right now in states that have Gerrymandered a minority into permanent power. It doesn't matter what the majority thinks or even how they vote if the minority has the power to stop them from voting or simply decides to ignore their votes entirely.
"You know, comrades, what I think in regard to this: I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this — who will count the votes, and how." Josef Stalin, quoted in Boris Bazhanov's "Memoirs of Stalin's Former Secretary", 1992. The "Republican" party is working from Stalin's playbook.
We the People are not.
Give all your energy to Democracy.
Unita. 🗽
Very few! I bet they know a lot about Michael Flynn! I watched Frontline on PBS last night! "Michael Flynn's Holy War". It explains a whole lot about the January 6th insurrection. Hopefully, there are more of us than of them. I was shocked at the people and comments. And to think that they are doing this in the name of Christianity!
Do you recommend watching it?
Yes!
I watched it too, and it really put fear into my heart! That traitor, Flynn, has a lot of power and is building his own "Christian" warrior cult. These people are serious.
I believe they are dangerous...in the name of Christianity!
No surprise, MAGAs interviewed on CBS Mornings yesterday said they were very happy to have tfg doing their vetting for them.
Laurie, I won't be here in 30-50 years, and that knowledge offers me some comfort. After the last six years, I can't take much more insanity.
Where TF is that Extinction Level Asteroid?
It would be more honorable for this "dominant" Species to be wiped out by a natural event not of its own making.
(Damn, now we are working on preventing the ELE) :(
Thanks Rob. I'm laughing out loud for the first time in weeks! You keep it real.
How optimistic of you to assume we will have history books.
And 50 more years of the republic.
It's easy to see why Republicans want to defund and control education.
I love the use of the word mythology when referring to supply-side economics. It is certainly the unicorn 🦄 of economic theory.
Yes, good point. And Dems simply have not figured out how to use and focus on the word myth or mythology as a way of responding to GOP focus on inflation etc. Many blue collar folks blindly think GOP is better with business.
Well put Laurie! You saved me the time of writing the exact same thing. Thank you
We may be coming back in 50 years to a smoldering wasteland destroyed by the stupidest creature; the human. 💥💥💥💥
I have to confess that when I see projections about all sorts of things into the future, I always think if we are still here. It is clear to me that we are in the process of destroying the planet with incredible greed among other things. One of the problems i see locally in terms of making any change for any problem is that we have a set of people who can't seem to understand that it may take a number of smaller steps. They want it all or they won't vote for it. An example is a state wide proposition which takes some steps to address the gun problem. It isn't perfect, but it was put on the ballot by a coalition of people, religious leaders among them, to make a start. I belong to a few progressive Facebook pages here in Salem and sure enough, someone was not going to vote for it because it doesn't go far enough. Then there was an ongoing fight on who should even belong to a group which was devolving into a purity contest. That attitude helped bring us death star.
Could be. It's also true that we humans have managed to survive for thousands of years and accomplished some marvelous things as well, so perhaps we'll manage to overcome our worst faults.
I would put my trust in wolves before humans🐺
We will have killed them all. I put my money on viruses and bacteria.
I’ve often said that humans are a cancer on the planet.