215 Comments

I lived in Botswana during most of the 90s. In 1998, the President, Sir Ketumile Masire, announced his retirement and went on a tour of towns and villages throughout the country to speak directly with people. I happened to be in a rural village with a student group when the President came for a visit, and he sat for hours behind a table with his head bowed down a bit as a bunch of men and women stepped up to the microphone and gave him direct and often passionate feedback. I was afraid Pres. Masire wasn’t paying attention because his head was down and he didn’t move while people were speaking, but then he finally stood up with a well-worn notebook in his hand and began responding to each of the speakers by name, answering their questions if he could, and if he couldn’t, directing his secretary to get various government ministers and members of Parliament to directly contact them within the week. Masire even asked for and wrote down the people’s contact information, and gave them his secretary’s phone number to call if they hadn’t received an answer within a reasonable amount of time or had any follow-up questions. He and his wife then sat in folding chairs in the middle of the crowd of people and everyone ate lunch and talked. I didn’t sit near Pres. Masire during lunch, but I often heard his famously booming laugh over the next hour.

And Botswana is a shithole country? Can you imagine Trump leaving office with such respect, humility, and dignity?

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Ironic that the crude asswipe in the White House that used that indecorous term has actually turned the United States into a shithole country in just 4 years. Europe won't let us visit any more.

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This is a wonderful recount of your experience. Over the years, Biden has done much the same when he engages with people. It's not for show, I don't believe. He really cares.

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What an amazing story of concerned leadership and humility. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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what a wonderful story of your experience. therein lies a simple truth that a nation should not be judged by its shiny cars and tall buildings but by the heart of its people and the love that they give. it is time that we use more contemporary and non material measures to judge a country's progress not what nation building economists determined about 60 years ago and that we still employ mindlessly like GDP...

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WOW!! How you put together these multilayered, inside out, upside down jigsaw puzzles of facts (about fiction) is truly amazing. Cogent, hopeful and Instructive: We shall preserve and honor the American Vote. Thank You.

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Thank you for the Mr. Wollum viewpoint, Heather. Even though it was [gulp] 50 years ago when I took his Driver's Ed course at West Seattle High, I still practice "looking at the big picture". Your Letter this morning helped me focus on what's ahead instead of the aggravating dandruff our president sheds on a daily basis. I have always had faith that the voters will come through and do their part. And until something else happens, I want to believe that plans are in place, with leadership (that has been at this game far longer than Mr. Trump and his revolving door of business cronies he has hired into government jobs) to go forward with a peaceful transfer of government. No doubt The Donald will kick up a fuss and throw tantrums, and no doubt attempt to stir up mayhem, but that's when mayors and governors and just ordinary folk get to step up take back their communities. Yup. You're my Mr. Wollum. (He also taught me that the left lane on highways/freeways is a passing lane. Some people need a refresher.) Thanks, Heather.

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"aggravating dandruff"! Yes. Reassuring image! We can just flick it off!

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Love that “aggravating dandruff our president sheds on a daily basis”!

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Ee gads, “aggravating dandruff” indeed! My own response is often more crude and scatalogical, but your metaphor is quite vivid while remaining safe for work.

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When posting here I try to refrain from saying what he spews from his face anus.

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So, he literally is a butthead?

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OK, you two---am I going to have to pull this car over?

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LOL! I just spit coffee everywhere! Thanks for the laugh, Carolyn. The comic relief is greatly needed.

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“Laughtivism:” “Humor deflates authoritarianism.” “Every joke is a tiny revolution.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/opinion/sunday/trump-politics-humor.html

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Couple "aggravating dandruff" with "ordinary folk get to step up" and we have a revolution, the RBG kind, with some good trouble mixed in for good measure!

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Love it - left lane is the passing lane! Might have to use that one myself. Thanks!

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"Aggravating dandruff that sheds on a daily basis" is a GREAT phrase!

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When I read about the plan to issue $200 prescription cards to senior citizens, I first thought "bread and circus" and then enjoyed a hearty laugh. I am fortunate that I only take two prescription medications and both are very low cost. However, before I retired as an RN case manager, I worked with patients trying to obtain lower costs on their very expensive medications. Some of these meds were ridiculously expensive and were often the very ones that meant the difference between life and death to these patients. $200? A mere drop in a rainstorm. He is only becoming more and more ridiculous as time goes on.

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I am on a medication for cancer that has a "copay" of $2000 a month--which is a tax boondoggle because the pharma covers the cost while I am still on private insurance claiming it as a charitable donation. They are using us as ways to get around paying taxes on the profiteering they engage in and the extortion games they play with people's lives.

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Linda, sending thoughts of strength and peace.

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Well said, Daria. Same from me, Linda. One RN to another, may you have the blessings you need in this troubling time. So many challenges when the one who provides care needs care.

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This is another ploy for DT to his signature on a check out to senior citizens who he is losing before the election using our taxpayer dollars. Even the pharmaceutical companies wouldn't touch it when asked to partner on it.

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Heather, Thank you for your daily commentary. It always meets my self imposed desire to learn something new each day. I also routinely watch "reruns" of your History chat on Facebook. I have been interested in how the limitation of 435 House members skews the power of my vote in the number of Representatives in my state and the electoral college. I have produced a chart showing the number of citizens each Representative represents in his/her state. I was particularly interested in my State of Michigan which has the 8 largest population but is 30th in representation. I found it very interesting that Montana has the least represented population with 917,621 citizens represented by its lone House member while Wyoming has the best representation with its single house member having 501,202 citizens in its lone district. This is a huge discrepancy. The information is on the internet in chart form but a little spreadsheet math is necessary to fill out the details.

Once more, thank you for your insight and your opinion. It makes me think. I wish more people did just that.

Please forgive misspellings and word misuse. I am legally blind and do not always catch my errors.

Barry Matthews

Hamlin Township Gadfly

Ludington MI

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Barry, is there a reasonable way you could make that chart available? It would help any of us who advocate for making the House truly representative again. I'd like to send it to my Rep, with credit to you of course, and post it on FB.

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me too!

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https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Census10/FedRep.phtml

What my Google search found.

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The green papers site has all the information

I used a different location and did the math. Slightly different numbers die to population. Updates. Thank you.

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I have a misspelling problem due to poor vision too, but on my iPad it’s possible to get the keyboard to read my key strokes aloud and that has helped a lot. Have you tried that?

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I have not. I have been thinking about IPad but do not own one yet. Thanks.

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It's become a high point of my day to get up around midnight to read your Letters when the first come into my email. It's like a beacon of truth that I can count on to reset reality and assure me that our democracy will prevail and one day the man who would be king will be gone, along with all the sycophants who enabled him. I can't thank you enough for your clear and concise analysis.

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Now spread the word and end the insanity. People need to STOP believing this crazy person’s hype.

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That’s so choice that they’re running out of money. Your letter makes me feel better tonight!

I lost a friend to cancer today. And it hit home for me just how insane it is that people brush aside the Covid count! I literally personally know people who say it isn’t real! It is Crushing to lose a loved one! But to be told it’s a lie and doesn’t count? I can’t imagine the grief that inflicts on families. On our Nation!

Taking apart dumpty’s falsehoods, gives me hope! It is like being told no you’re not crazy! And it’s going to be okay! Thank you!

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I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one, Denise. My family also recently suffered the loss of a much loved family member and we are all struggling with how to grieve without being able to participate in the rituals our society turns to for our mourning. We are scattered all over the country and the world - family members are in at least 3 different countries, including the US - and, due to covid, there will be no funeral and none of the ‘usual’ gatherings and rituals that help us to grieve and cope with such a loss. I hope you and your family will be able to grieve in ways that are meaningful for all of you that also bring some measure of comfort. Blessings of peace to you and yours.

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We are planning a service probably in a year. It is hard to not be able to support each other! Hang in there!

We will get through this!

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I'm sorry for your loss. When my husband died (7 years ago), I asked friends & family for stories about him. That doesn't require anyone's presence & you will have something for when you can have a service.

I will also be attending a zoom service for a friend who died of cancer 6 months ago. The host is going to create a list of randomly drawn names for the order on which to speak. I'm curious to see how this works.

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I have been to several Jewish on-line rituals of comforting mourners. In a time when in-person is not available, at least friends and family can attend no matter their location. You might consider a gathering consistent with your beliefs over zoom now, and in person later when it can happen.

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I am sorry for your loss, Denise. Amidst all this chaos, it is important to remember that friends, family, loved ones are dying everyday from illnesses other than Covid. Our local TV station had a long piece on fund raising for the American Cancer Society, and how donations to that organization are WAY down. People believe a death from cancer, but not one caused by Covid is crazy. Do these same people believe no one has died from Covid? Even one death is too many!

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Thank you! People are suffering losses of all kinds! And the worst of our losses are not over.

These people that are on the talk radio dumpster train don’t believe there are Covid deaths and negate any other opinions about it. It’s just nuts! Where’s the reality? Where’s their compassion?

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You're right about all kinds of loss and suffering. You can start with the loss of life as we knew it. Loss of some sense of financial security for many. Loss of faith in our government officials. The list goes on and on. It will be hard to make any gains until we can call Covid for what it is....a killer of life, freedoms, and the hopes of financial security.

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So true! The suffering in our country is enormous. Without any action from Congress, there’s no immediate relief in sight. My daughter said when I get my next relief check. I said reality check is all we’re getting!

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Oh, Denise, I am so sorry.

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Thank you! We are turning our original plans to meet after Covid into plans for a memorial service.

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Denise, I am sorry for your loss. It hurts so much. The covid deniers might as well say that since we are all mortal, death is when it comes is unimportant. Few people feel that way.

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So sorry to hear, Denise. Blessings to you and all you hold dear.

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Trump is a bully and a coward. He may be petulant upon losing in November, but he is powerless to change the outcome and he knows it. Our institutions and the will of the people are bigger than him. He may indeed need to be escorted out under guard (sorta like getting fired in a corporation). Also, despair is not even on my horizon. That said, I know there are many who are less fortunate and may indeed see a bleak future. I volunteer at Food Banks, Schools and Land Conservation and I will vote for Biden for their, mine, and my children and grandchildren's better future.

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If the problem is getting 45 to exit the White House, simply turn off his media. The current legal and psychological warfare is meant to support an attack using thugs, lawyers, and sycophants on counting all the ballots. Besides reposting these Letters, I'm taking my anxiety and putting it into writing ever more get out the vote letters.

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Ah, once again to begin my day inhaling a breath of sanity. 😘

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Might be the only one we get for the day

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Enjoying my morning tea with all of you. I wish that the media would quit giving him the attention he so actively seeks. His antics are not news, they are simply the circus part of "bread and circuses". He will continue to try to scare the country, but the more outrageous his actions the more he will alienate anyone with at least two bent brain cells to rub together. His pick of Barrett as a nominee makes me want to look behind that pick, he did not select her, he was fed that selection.

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Yes Pamela, I’m also enjoying my morning tea with all of you. Knowing that so many of you are all over out there helps immensely. Loss and reality checks are in plain site every day. I’m a Jew and we are actively in this period of reflection. So much to be grateful for and so much repair is needed. I look forward to helping with repairing this country and climate when we get Biden and Harris in office!! Hope and action!

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Morning coffee for me, but also immensely grateful for this community!

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Pamela, you took the words right outta my mouth! I just want to bitch slap so many of the MSM right now. I know, I know, he's the pres and they have to cover him. But seriously, every little faux brain fart? Seriously?

Listening to the coverage of the Amy Barrett nomination last night brought up another of my new pet peeves. I know Roe v Wade gets the GOP base fired up, and the Dems on the other side. But we have so many problems that are so much bigger than that right now, I wish they - ALL of 'they', would quit harping about Roe v Wade. (And I"m old enough to remember the bad old days, so this isn't about cluelessness. Been in that war a long time.)

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My solution for the media boondoggle is to stop clicking on those stories. I'm pretty sure each story's clicks are tracked, so if it stops drawing attention, the stories will lessen. I might be in my own little world with this, but it keeps me sane ! 😁

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Excellent idea, BetsyC. Back in the Dubya years, I saw a cartoon of two guys walking down the street and one says, "I'm torn between wanting to stay informed and protecting my sanity." Or words to that effect. It applies now, too.

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Yes, my morning ritual. Coffee with my Heather peeps. Its so important to keep up with the true reality. Thank you all!

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I think it’s fair to say that if we keep thinking doomsday, we’ll create it. This is what he’s trying to do and most people are falling right into his smelly tiny hands. WE have the power!

A very wise man once said to me “stop borrowing trouble”. Well......just STOP IT! If you don’t stop it then you are part of the problem.

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Thank you Heather. This certainly defuses Trumps daily dog whistle. You would think at this point his cult would be full of his bluster, but yet they can't wait for his next altered reality. Though I am not relaxing concerning this election and all of this deceit that this Administration sprinkles like confetti, I am gaining some confidence that they will ultimately end themselves. They are not the boss of us. Be well, stay safe.

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Dr. Richardson, it is so helpful to be able to read your informative and incisive letters. That you know we are out here and speak directly to us in the most dignified and gracious manner, is like hearing the cathedral in my city neighborhood ringing the morning bells. The consistency and clear tone are sustaining. Deep bow.

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I will be so glad when this election is over, even if it means violence in the streets which may be the death of me. To no longer have to cringe when hearing those clearly LYING, FAKE TV ADS this sociopath spews with impunity would be nice.

We need something in this “mass communication age” that requires a “Citation Needed” response before any obvious lies aimed at the ignorant cult base can be aired. Some kind of “truth in advertising” requirement. Something to make clear that “Obamacare” is now “Trumpdoesnotcare.” Or that Joe Biden and the Dems will raise your taxes if you make a million dollars a year, like we had when Dwight Eisenhower was prez.

I want that asswipe out of office for a multitude of reasons that I’ve expressed before the idiots elected him, but add to that so I won’t have to hear his monotone speech impediment spewing from his face anus.

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It would be great if all real news agencies agree to stop reporting anything he tweets, says, or does after he is defeated in the polls. America deserves a fresh start with the new president without providing free media attention to him.

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It would be better if they stop giving him so much free media attention. Send a reporter, yes. Then fact-check. Only after that, decide what attention the story- with fact-checking front and center - deserves.

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Be careful what you wish for. Ignoring him is as dangerous, or more dangerous than reporting on him. And if he happens to retain his seat (I can't call it a presidency), it will get even worse. Imagine what havoc he can wreak with 4 more years...make sure you vote!

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I don't mean ignore him if he "retains his seat" (I love this phrase), I mean after he is out of office. Then again, it may be a moot point since he won't be able to tweet from prison.

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"Trumpdoesnotcare" is very catchy as well as accurate, IMHO!

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I didn't do heavy research on this, but apparently the term "Obamacare" was coined by Republicans back in the day and was meant to be used in a derogatory way. I think the original name was the "Affordable Health Care Act"? Anyway, how ironic that #45 is constantly invoking the name of his most hated nemesis by referring to this now widely popular program. Some karma here, wouldn't you say? https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/president-obama-embraces-obamacare-label-but-why/2012/03/25/gIQARJ5qaS_blog.html

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Your paragraph # 2, right on!

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Vote. Vote. vote. We have to have such an overwhelming rejection of the Cheeto that the Supremes won't intervene. We cannot trust Kavanaugh, Thomas, Alito, and whatever joker he forces into Ginsburg's seat. The others might feel a wee spark of shame. But that is not a sufficient protection for democracy.

There was a news report last night (9/25) that Caputo has been diagnosed with brain cancer, which if it is true could account for him going off the rails in such a spectacular way. So the "ad campaign"might also be dead in the water . . .

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Barret is a well respected woman albeit a deep Christian. However I’m not so sure she won’t be fair and thoughtful. Her reputation is on the line. I get the feeling Trump is going to be disappointed in her lack of loyalty to him.

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Being committed a specific theocratic world view in a democracy that has to manage all perspectives--including respecting those whose world view is secular or represents other religious perspectives--is dangerous to the health and wellbeing of everyone. She might be a respected jurist by some but her positions reflect a very limited view of how society operates. And that scares the bejeezus out of me.

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I will cross my fingers that his appointee will be like David Souter.

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Before becoming a judge, she published a criticism of the decision that preserved the ACA.

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Don't hold your breath, or you'll turn blue and die. :-)

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I hear you but let’s focus on the fact that’s she’s been consistently respected by reps and Dems alike. We knew he was going to pick a religious conservative. It could’ve been a lot worse. Let’s be hopeful🙏

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forget hopeful, let's be realistic. She's a far right wing Republican, and considered a "female Scalia." That spells T H E E N E M Y

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Plus, that the 45 is so enthusiastic about her tells me that what she said in her interview mirrored his views 100%

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Well... if he considered her to be good looking perhaps he could drop that 100% to.... whatever. I dont think he vetted her critically in any way. He probably asked who would be the best one and then he picked the best looking one out of the group. I believe it is that pathetic.

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Bingo!! All to do with superficial looks. His calling card....

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Deep Christian? I don't subscribe to her brand of Christianity.

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I'd hate to depend on the vote of one person under tons of pressure. Consider the 2000 election. It was decided not by counting voters' ballots - which was interrupted in Florida by Roger Stone's well-dressed thugs - but by 5 justices who abandoned all their principles to install GWB on the throne.

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less metaphorically, in the White House

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If she really was a deep Christian she wouldn't have accepted this appointment. She would never even consider taking health care away in a pandemic (she criticized Roberts for voting to keep ACA) or dooming women to back alley abortions again because of her religion, not because of the law. She is an Opus Dei Catholic, period. I'm so tired of media and people hoping for the best when candidates say *exactly* who they are, claiming "oh, they don't really mean it" and then everyone acts surprised and hurt when the candidates do *exactly* what they said they would do. The fact is the particular brand of Catholic that Barrett is (yes, of course not all Catholics, but certainly *enough* Catholics) have been terrific enablers of Trump throughout the past four years. Do not think for one moment these characters won't grab all the power they can get, despite being a very small minority of both Catholics and the country. Do not think for one moment Barrett would have been nominated if the Opus Dei cadre weren't absolutely positive they could control her. These people believe they were born to rule and are contemptuous of rule of law because they believe they are superior and they have a direct line to a higher authority, God. They will happily spike American democracy for anti-abortion and pure power. Watch Barr. Barrett is a female Barr--read https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/bill-barr-founders/616445/. In many ways, women who are true believers are so much worse than the men. They have more to prove.

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I am not offended by what you say at all and I concur.

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She's a damned Theocrat. Gave a speech just after becoming a judge that the duty of a Judge is to "promote God's kingdom." There is no such thing nowadays as a "Good Republican."

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Actually, I was impressed by Charlie Baker's emphatic denunciation of Trump's anti-election comments. He was the only one of 26 Republican governors to do it.

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I agree with you. Perhaps it is the Repubs making more of this than Barrett herself. She has been a judge already and no doubt knows when she must put aside her personal preferences. I believe NO judge welcomes speculation about his/her rulings according to someone else’s opinion. Furthermore we know all trump talks about is loyalty without recognizing some people have principles.

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I agree that it might be good to be "hopeful" but those of us who are not in the Cis-gendered, heteronormative community or are allies and have family members who are not have only to look at the career of Scalia, who was a notable and brilliant jurist--but also an autocrat whose monolithic view of the world was informed significantly by his particular brand of Opus Dei Catholicism. She clerked for him. When people talk about her being in the mode of Scalia--but without the rhetorical flourishes--I get very worried about my wellbeing and that of my family and friends. Not to mention the fact that making abortion illegal again will. not. stop. abortions. It will simply endanger more women. She has also stated in public that wives should be subordinate to their husbands. As a medieval historian (and a woman!), any kind of language like that makes my skin crawl.

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I agree wholeheartedly!! (I'm also a medievalist) To read about what she has said/written about the 14th Amendment and Roe vs. Wade is alarming (unless you are a rock-ribbed conservative!). She may be a nice person to meet. I'm sure Barr is also; clearly Scalia was as well.

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“It is up to us to reject Trump's fictions and reclaim the national conversation from the anger and hatred and fear Trump is stoking.”

Amen, and thank you for saying this. I predict I’ll your statement will be shared on repeat, at least by me.

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