504 Comments

When do we end that pardoning nonsense? Powerful people should not be allowed to simply pardon criminals. How about we start with that ridiculous turkey pardoning ritual at Thanksgiving. What is that all about? Pardon me, but I am not a fan of pardons. Especially when tRump handed them out like Monopoly get out of jail game cards.

And rest in peace Queen Elizabeth II. Your service to country was exemplary.

Sorry our former president treated you so disrespectfully on his visit. Trump is a classless, mannerless dolt jealous of anyone, especially a woman, with a royal title, admiration, dignity, and more money and power than him.

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Thanks for that, Jane. I'm British-born, and have been grieving all day. Remembering his extraordinary behaviour at Windsor. Afterwards he said he and the Queen had good chemistry. Her sense of humour must often have saved her sanity.

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Many of us Americans mourn with you. The US seemingly cannot tolerate the notion of a female leader yet, while look at the example we've had of discipline, hard work, intelligence, effective use of the power and resources available, and what graciousness and civility can do to help govern and guide a nation "across the pond" for 7 decades--nearly 1/3 of this nation's existence. We're lucky to have been witness to her reign.

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For a so called free country there is a ton of misogyny in American men. Many only like women they can control.. I’m fortunate in that I found a husband who loved his strong mom and who loves me but it took me a while to find him.

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It's not just men who are misogynist. Women, in this country too often judge women much more harshly than they do men, and will defer to men to protect their egos often sacrificing the well-being and dignity of other women.

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Good morning, J. Nol. You're right about women and misogyny, but I have a slightly different take on it. We have grown up with those stereotypes--women gossip, women can't be trusted, women stab each other in the back, I can't work with women; etc.--and not only grown up with them but packed them right into our genes from many generations. They are all compliments of the men in this world, but we have internalized them, believed them, and now we repeat theme. I have made a possibly excessive rule for myself--my little struggle against the patriarchy, I guess--I try very hard never to say anything negative about another woman. Ever. As my mother often reminded me, if I can't say something nice I don't say anything at all. That doesn't mean I don't think it. I just figure I can't do any harm keeping my mouth shut.

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I can remember being told all sorts of things about how I was supposed to behave including not looking too intelligent. I am 79 and I still get mansplaining and total inattention to what I am saying, but when my spouse speaks....all ears. As for other women, I have real problem with the b word, hardly ever say it and absolutely despise b slapping. I have gotten explanations from women about why the latter is OK. I have to say the biggest gossips at my workplace were the men, especially those in the coaching corner. We also sued our principal at one point for his behavior toward women on the staff. Some of the most thoughtless comments about that came from women, who basically said we should put up with it. And the capper...."look at those women" ....implying that we couldn't possibly have been sexually harassed because we weren't beautiful. As for the standard accusations against women...this is how some people behave, no matter what their gender.

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I agree. Our culture, and most cultures are steeped in misogyny with negative stereotypes held by both women and men. As in all oppressive processes, the oppressed person often will internalize the negative messages about their group and then behave in according to those messages. This is modeled by parents, communities, society, media, entertainment venues, etc.. Stereotypes, while originating in actual characteristics are exaggerated and turned into definitions of the person and then turned against them. We are all of woman born (Addrienne Rich) but can so easily express our hatred and fear of women in some despicable ways.

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Being in education, most young girls get along very well until after Christmas in 6th grade through 9th grade it seems. Then some become judgemental, snarky, backstabbing gossips. Thankfully that isn't all of them, but the harm these bad ones cause can be often irreparable to the others. We need to do some huge interventions with this age group. Not only the girls, but all genders.

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Excellent points, and very accurate.

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That is too sadly true. In the aggregate, we are far too often bad sisters. In addition to protecting men’s egos, bad sisters also believe they are protecting their own stature. Kind of disgusting, if you ask me.

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Yup--I know women who voted for tfg simply because they "didn't like Hilary" and followed that with very uncomplimentary comments about her.

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That despite the fact that Trump was so obviously evil.

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The Republicans had been hammering away at Hillary for decades because they saw her as a threat often accusing her of major "crimes" that men all too often had gotten away with or done much worse. It was astonishing how much misogyny there was during that contest between a very capable, qualified woman and a conman.

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Yes, they do and it always amazes me when I hear all the excuses for bad male behavior from women.

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Yes. Men often get a pass, don't they?

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Yes!! My mother is one. The man is the leader and one to be worshipped.

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My mother would say the same to me regarding saying something nice. My personal experience with women. Friends - even my sister - is that they do, in fact, gossip about one another, stab one another in the back, say and do despicable ( for me) things. They then remain friends. I simply can't be that way and have shed those women from my life. The friends that truly are friends I would take a bullet for are from Europe. I don't know why, but they have a quality that seems to be missing in many American women.

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I hate to say this--hate to even think it--but there are many qualities missing in Americans of any gender. Is it because we are still such a young country?

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My maternal grandmother had a PhD. Both of her daughters had PhDs, and one of them, a noted gerontologist, was instrumental in getting old folks homes to cease interfering with unmarried residents having sex.

And my sister got Fairfax County VA vaccinated during the pandemic.

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Ditto! I was 41 when I got married! Worth waiting!

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If we didn't have that damned electoral college we would have had (and probably have) a female president, HRC, who won the 2016 election by 2.9 million votes. And if Comey hadn't mouthed off about the damned emails 10 days before the election, she might have been President despite the electoral college.

And I agree with you about the Queen. She was certainly extraordinary, and I love the ritual of having the Queen accept the resignation of the outgoing leader and anoint the incoming leader.

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When the world eemingly could not get out of its on way of insanity, crudeness, and self-serving, Quent Elizabeth was there with her calm, responsibility, and service to her people (and many who were just her admirers). The world was better for her example and being in it. Britain has its traditions and mannerisms but for many who are neither British or members of the UK, her absence is like the losing of an anchor.

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Elizabeth has certainly been exceptionally strong and clear-minded (with the notable exception of her treatment of Diana and that only demonstrated she was human enough to make big mistakes).

But what held her up, what supports the monarchs, good and bad, in Britain, is the fundamental reverence for the institution itself. Britain is a very old culture, with the wisdom to understand that ritual and tradition serve an essential purpose. They call our attention to and remind us of the lasting values in civilization. They stand, in the minds of the populace, against the changing winds of politics, leaders, hardship.

They have kept Britain relatively sane for a very long time, and this Queen is an admirable part of that tradition.

The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen.

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Long after Charles takes the throne - even after William does, Elizabeth will be a strong guidance for the UK, just as Victoria was. And the world - yes, even the United States, will be the better for it.

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I agree completely. And I would say especially the United States. We are much too wedded to the adoration of the new and the unique.

Thank you for expressing so clearly the value of the firm foundation that Elizabeth, Victoria and the tradition they hold up provide.

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I would add to her mistakes, her preventing Charles from marrying Camilla before Diana ever came on the scene. Charles and Camilla belong together; Charles and Diana did not.

That said, your second paragraph deepens my understanding of what the monarchy does and the Queen did for Britain. We need some sort of ritualization similarly effective around our Democracy

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We do have that srt of ritualization around our Democracy. It's call the peaceful transition of power. I'm hopeful the other political party in this country will soon remember that is one of their responsibilities too.

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Yes, definitely like losing an anchor.

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I’m not English but I’ll be grieving along with the Brits for the loss of the Queen who was a most remarkable woman and leader.

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My condolences, Anne-Louise. I am not a monarchist, but I am a British historian who has spent around a third of my adult life in the UK. Queen Elizabeth was an interesting--and complicated--woman whose ability to persevere, grow, and learn how to be in changing times while at the same time being true to herself and her dedication to her "job" should be an example to us all. I also remember how horrified the British press was when Michelle Obama put a comforting arm around Elizabeth's shoulders--but the queen leaned in and allowed herself to be hugged in public. It was quite a moment.

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Yes indeed— both brave women and au courant.

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Thank you for that story about Michelle Obama and the Queen. I hadn't heard it. I have chills thinking of what that moment meant personally, nationally and globally. I looked up a video and actually, according to this report, the Queen made the first move! Quite extraordinary - and touching. https://youtu.be/eU_0hyjXRaM

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In her autobiography, Michelle writes that she just instinctively put her arm out and the queen moved in. When all hell broke loose in the press (it was one of those "how dare a [Black woman] commoner touch the queen" moments), Michelle apologized to Elizabeth but E2 said that she had appreciated and enjoyed the hug and not to worry. She apparently genuinely liked both of the Obamas. TFG not so much . . .

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Thank you for that link, Chaplain Terry. Indeed, a very sweet moment, while some of the commentary is quite funny!

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I see you found a video clip. One picture's worth, you bet.

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Yep. The hug was one of the contributions we colonists made to the world

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That was after New England. The hardest thing for me to get used to when I came here. No hugs unless you really knew someone well or were close relations. And even then, men still usually shake hands when saying goodbye. I was doing my best to proselytize hugging - and then the pandemic came. Darn.

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oh so beautifully said, Dean

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Anne-Louise, You are not alone in your grief. I am American born, but there's a much larger longer story. I long admired her honorable dedication, devotion, and discipline; her sworn duty was first till this day, even before family it seems, but I 'get it' and deeply admire her honor. Charles is ill prepared to follow such an example, though I wish him success. Cheers Anne..

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Yes I agree this transition so late in his life will be difficult but I certainly wish him and Camilla the best.

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It will be interesting to see if the British people will accept his forward thinking regarding the environment and his belief in local farming being important.

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i sincerely hope they will.

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Imagine how many nitwits Queen Elizabeth dealt with over the decades? She devotedly served her nation for 70 years. May she Rest In Peace.

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“Nitwits” — a delightfully underused word that we should use more often.

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You have my condolences, Anne-Louise.

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Thanks, Marlene. This is real sorrow.

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hugs to you, dear Anne-Louise

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If ever I needed a hug, it's now. Thank you, Suz

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you're so welcome, Anne-Louise.

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As our presidents have come and gone, she was a remarkable constant for the British people. Something to be proud of, for sure.

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Ditto for this American-Australian....

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Please allow me to add my condolences for your loss. Queen Elizabeth was crowned when I was 7 years old, so her extraordinary reign has been a part of my world view most of my life. I know there are questions about monarchies that some are taking this opportunity to raise. I'm sorry for that. I think all of you who loved the Queen deserve the time to grieve your loss free from judgement and politics. Blessings,

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She truly had not only class, but the patience of a saint that day. Honestly, back here we were hoping their was some hidden British law that would have allowed beheading of a foreign leader.

Her long reign was one of duty to the people, professionalism, and grace. Princess, auto mechanic, Queen - the embodied what royalty should be.

She will be missed on this side of the Atlantic, too. I am very sorry for your deep loss. May she rest well knowing she will be remembered with love and respect.

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Anne-Louise, I'm American born, but have "known" and felt connected to Queen Elizabeth since 1940 when I heard her radio broadcast to the children of Briton and to the U.S. Then through the war with sister pen pals from Barton-on-Humber in Lincolnshire. Now I'm a dual Canadian citizen, and yesterday my heart kept erupting through my eyes as I experienced the grief of having a family member die. QEII was like a sister for a long time.

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My roots are in England! My grandfather was an immigrant and arrived through Ellis Island over 100 years ago.

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Same for me and mine (and Scotland), as is the case for so very many of us. 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

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Sep 9, 2022·edited Sep 9, 2022

Hi Ashley, I receive information from the following project, which may be of interest to you and other subscribers. To learn more open the link provided at the end of this comment.

The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy

Friends and fellow citizens,

As the first few leaves start to fall on campus, I am hoping you can join us for the last conversation of the summer series featuring author and journalist Keel Hunt and project co-chair Jon Meacham discussing Hunt’s recent book, Crossing the Aisle: How Bipartisanship Brought Tennessee into the 21st Century and Could Save America. As Hunt describes in his book, throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, pragmatic Tennessee politicians were able to power policymaking on issues ranging from public school funding and infrastructure development to health care reform.

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/unity/

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Many thanks for sharing this, Fern! 🕊💙

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After my post a few minutes ago, I was struck by the fact that Her Majesty served for many more years than 70. She started as a child! And kept it up. She was a car mechanic volunteer when she was 18, for instance.

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Scenes we'd like to see (I was a devoted reader of MAD in my youth)! Thanks, made me laugh.

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Thanks Jane. I was amazed how the Queen was able to deal with the towering creepiness of tFG with not a single facial muscle revealing the distain and disgust she surely felt in his presence. She was human with blind spots like us all, but even with my ambivalence towards the monarchy, if we could have another like her I would be all for it. She was a lode stone of unchanging service and loyalty that helped to keep Britain sane. God and all the powers that be…help us now.

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I often think about the lessons DJT was given on interacting with a supreme queen, and his probable "I know how to do it!" attitude. Rolling eyes here.

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Pity he couldn't have had a couple of very simple starter lessons in manners before he stood beside the then Prime Minister, Teresa May, addressing the world's Press, in the courtyard of Churchill's birthplace, and said that he thought Boris Johnson would be an excellent prime minister.

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Don’t forget intelligence, knowledge, civility, Grace, integrity and humility.

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And witty, resilient, fashionable...

QE2's list is long. If only we could find leaders in our country with even a third of her traits. Plus she loved dogs and horses. I miss her already.

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Agree, Just Jane, especially about horses. One commenter close to the Queen had quipped when she was astride a horse, she was her happiest. As someone who has horses, I can attest how true that must have been for her.

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She was still riding as recently as a year ago. It was a shaggy pony, but she loved it.

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Honor and decency, as well. Queen Elizabeth LIVED the very values of human decency that inspired so many. "No name calling, hatred towards those who opposed her, complaining, etc. A very fine example and may she rest in peace.

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All characteristics missing from our former president.

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I found that the love and respect she held and demonstrated for her animals, especially her dogs, was always a telling aspect of her kindness. I'm American-born, but the sadness I have felt since yesterday has been pervasive. RIP, Queen Elizabeth.

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Sep 9, 2022·edited Sep 9, 2022

Today’s Letter addressed the issues of accountability under the law. It opened with President Gerald Ford’s “… full, free, and absolute pardon…’ to former president Richard M. Nixon ‘…for all offenses against the United States which he…has committed or may have committed or taken part in” during his time in the presidency.’ It then continued with Ronald Reagan, ‘…the next Republican president after Nixon, in which ‘…members of the administration broke the law to sell arms to Iran.’ (Letter)

Our legal search for accountability continued. ‘Today we learned that a federal grand jury investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol is now looking into Trump’s political action committee, “Save America,” to understand its fundraising, how its money was received, and how its money was spent.’

At the end of the Letter, I looked for the definition of accountability under the law.

'7.7.1 What is accountability to the law? Why is it a necessary condition?'

''Accountability refers to the processes, norms, and structures263 that hold the population and public officials legally responsible for their actions and that impose sanctions if they violate the law. Accountability is essential if systemic threats to the rule of law are to be corrected. This involves ensuring there are consequences for criminal behavior (which is addressed in Section 7.6); mechanisms to address impunity for past crimes; and horizontal accountability (state institutions overseeing the actions of one another) and vertical accountability (citizens overseeing the actions of the state). Without accountability, human rights will be denied, crime will flourish, and impunity for past conflict-related crimes will persist, undermining legitimacy and prospects for reconciliation. The concentration of power in any one branch, institution, or level of government often leads to abuse of power and corruption that horizontal and vertical accountability mechanisms can help prevent. Accountability also aims to mitigate against capture of justice institutions by political and economic spoilers that enables impunity, favoritism, and unequal application of the law.'(UnitedStatesPeaceInstitute) See link below.

The definition of ‘accountability’ above and today’s Letter call upon us to reflect on how malleable ACCOUNTABLILITY TO THE LAW has been in terms of the US government, our presidents, their administrations, and elected representatives to our national and state legislatures. This led me to wonder about our level of trust in the US government,

‘Public Trust in Government: 1958-2022'

'Public trust in government remains low, as it has for much of the 21st century. Only two-in-ten Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (19%). Trust in the government has declined somewhat since last year, when 24% said they could trust the government at least most of the time.'

‘When the National Election Study began asking about trust in government in 1958, about three-quarters of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing almost always or most of the time. Trust in government began eroding during the 1960s, amid the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles. Confidence in government recovered in the mid-1980s before falling again in the mid-1990s. But as the economy grew in the late 1990s, so too did confidence in government. Public trust reached a three-decade high shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but declined quickly thereafter. Since 2007, the shares saying they can trust the government always or most of the time has not surpassed 30%.'

'Today, 29% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say they trust government just about always or most of the time, compared with 9% of Republicans and Republican-leaners. Democrats report slightly less trust in the federal government today than a year ago; there has been no change in the views of Republicans.’

‘Throughout Donald Trump’s tenure as president, more Republicans than Democrats reported trusting the government, though that has flipped since Joe Biden’s election. Since the 1970s, trust in government has been consistently higher among members of the party that controls the White House than among the opposition party. Republicans have often been more reactive than Democrats to changes in political leadership, with Republicans expressing much lower levels of trust during Democratic presidencies; Democrats’ attitudes have tended to be somewhat more consistent, regardless of which party controls the White House. However, the GOP and Democratic shifts in attitudes between the end of the Trump presidency and the early Biden administration were roughly the same magnitude.’ (PewResearchCenter) See link below.

Oh, my – how far from reality is the oft repeated claim that our democracy flourishes under ‘the rule of law’?

‘New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, noted today: “Regular, everyday Americans play by these rules, and yet too often powerful political interests, they ignore these rules. They think they are above the law, and the most of them take advantage.” (Letter)

Haven’t many citizens like you and me known this for a long, long time?

https://www.usip.org/guiding-principles-stabilization-and-reconstruction-the-web-version/rule-law/accountability-the-law

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/06/06/public-trust-in-government-1958-2022/

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Thanks Fern as always for focussing on the message in LFAA. We need to arm ourselves with facts, and yet, on the other hand, the data just highlights what those of us who have watched decades of DC and partisan antics have come to recognize as sleazy self serving politics. The challenges to the rule of law be are piling up. Will "accountability" be adequately demanded by us all such that these challenges are fairly mitigated. And what if they are not?? The "$64 'Billion' Dollar Question." (and I date myself). Along with many, I watch the players with bated breath.

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Fern and K. Barnes, there seem to be a few of us who remember in decades and ask those dated tv questions. Good company

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Dean, Good questions do not expire as IMODIUM (prescription for diarrhea) does.

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LOL You bet!!!

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K Barnes, My guess is that our dates are close, but with engagement as citizens, we are far, far from expired. Cheers!

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As they say, Fern, "From your lips to God's ears!"

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I have difficulty accepting the Pew Conclusions. I tend to believe just asking a question of trust in Government is a push to negative reaction.

I was interested in the new Gun Permit requirements in New York brought forth a torrent of complaints about over-regulation and 2nd Amendment rights but long lines of people gave testament to the complainants agreement to comply with Government.

I think the act of living civilized lives supports the idea of confidence in Government.

People register cars, renew drivers licenses and other act in conformity with the requirements of government. The occasional nut who refuses to pay taxes gives strength to the majority of citizens who support the role of Government.

The current Republican fever of restricting voting rights and customizing voting patterns to perpetuate power emphasizes the sacred trust a majority of people who seek the vote and have trust in Government. A vast silenced majority.

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Hi, Art, you make me think. Very interesting idea that " the act of living civilized lives supports the idea of confidence in Government." It never occurred to me to consider it that way, but I believe you might be right.

I would take issue with you on only one phrase, "the current Republican fever of restricting voting rights." That has been going on, with varying degrees of fever but never stopped, basically since Reconstruction. They have gotten very good at it; you could make a list of all their techniques and strategies. The reason it's, as you say, a fever right now is that Trump and his administration gave them a blessing and, much more practical, coast to coast judges and public officials who would help them accomplish their goals. We are surrounded on all sides on that issue.

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Yes, but earlier Republican strategies were antagonistic to Government and as descendants of the enslavers they perceived Central Government antagonistic to their cause.

The Reagan-Gingrich-MAGA ideology has insinuated itself into Federal Government and by infiltration of State Legislatures and the Federal Judiciary can now dismantle the 14th Amendment as they did with Roe v Wade, slow and careful incrementation.

It is destructive and the long effect is Anarchy but the Federalist ideology seems to believe anything developed as a result of the original Constitution is gloss to be shorn from the body politic.

I welcome all this on the basis I have a feeling a moral recall is happening and the next two elections will affirm sanity.

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I'm definitely liking this conversation. Should I subscribe to Art's Newsletter?

I think all Republican strategies are antagonistic to Government; it's pretty much the GOP Thing. The difference now, I suppose, is today's incarnation has amassed enough power and cash to thumb their noses at any pretense of consistency or honestly. They both hate Big Government and want to be in charge of Big Government. So far, they aren't failing. We'll see what happens. Either they're going to walk away with the whole show, or the tide will turn. I have to say, I wouldn't bet one nickel on either option. I just flat don't know. I know one thing because I watched it happen, before Nixon's Southern Strategy, Democrats controlled the southern vote because they were racists. After the GOP campaign to gather in the Southern vote, it was reversed. And if somebody can help me with more details on the history, I marvel at the skill and cunning the Grand Old Party has shown as it walks the line between playing the race card and supporting big business.

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Appreciate you bringing the conversation back to Heather's topic, Fern. I'd given up and took my dog for a walk, then realized perhaps I needed to scroll down a bit further. Glad I did.

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Small correction in the statement “Public trust in government remains low, as it has for much of the 21st century. Only two-in-ten Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (19%).” Two-in-ten Americans is actually 20%. An error that anyone can make in the dark hours. Otherwise all agreed.

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The statistics and all else quoted from study by the Pew Research Center is the work of the Center. In order to reach a more complete understanding of the figures quoted or a correction as you imply, you may want to contact the Pew Research Center. Thank you for your attention

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Thanks Fern.

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Thank you, Maggie. I have a high regard for librarians, and you continue to scrutinize information Cheers!

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It’s only current presidents who may pardon, & not all pardons are bad (though t made decidedly worse choices than most). Quite a few people have needed pardoning, ie, Carter pardoning draft dodgers, Clinton pardoning Susan MacDougal, Obama pardoning Chelsey Manning & many many others, stretching back to Washington. Luckily, it only works w federal crimes since we do know many have been pardoned when they shouldn’t have been.

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But none of them has pardoned the innocent Leonard Peltier.

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Or Julian Assange

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Not only is Julian Assange is not an American citizen, he hasn't been convicted in US court. So what is there to pardon?

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OK - point made - but Biden needs to call the dogs off. It has been a total miscarriage of justice.

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Biden's dogs? Assange's case has been ongoing since 2010. If it's a miscarriage of justice to reveal information that put individuals at risk for reprisals, including death, then I guess we should just drop the case against Trump for his purloining of top secret documents.

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And now's the time. Now before it's absolutely too late.

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Thank you, Jude. This is one that every year makes me ache. He should have been released long ago, if only on humanitarian grounds. But there are plenty of questions about the charges that he is imprisoned under that keep being ignored.

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Questions indeed. I have decidedly mixed feelings about the FBI--villains in this case it seems, but heroes investigating tfg et al.

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There are different rules for Indigenous land. And the rez beat is considered pretty low on the pole by agents. Have you read Peter Matthiessen's book "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" about the Peltier case? Matthiessen was a brilliant, lyrical writer who was careful with facts. I read the book when it first came out, and when I took it back to the library, the librarian refused to take it, and told me to put it in my bag and take it home and keep it. A civil lawsuit against the book had been filed, and astonishingly, a judge ordered the book confiscated. The day I was returning it, they walked in the door. The librarian was both angry and frightened. But I took the book, not yet understanding the circumstances. There was an incredible national uproar about what appeared to be an officially sanctioned book ban meant to protect the agency and the government of SD. Peculiar, eh?

It took years to work through the courts, the publisher winning each time and the appellants (an FBI agent and the gov of SD) losing. It went to the Supreme Court, who declined to consider the case, and eventually the book was republished as a paperback. I had lost my hardbound copy in a move, and it seemed to me that the paperback wasn't quite the same as the original (something seemed missing to me), but I'm not sure, though I read the book several times. I would love to come across a copy of the original hardbound book, but so far have not found one. There must be some out there. Though I'm sure those who had it kept it quiet, as I did, though I followed news about the participants closely.

Interestingly, Wikipedia's entry about Matthiessen includes a fairly detailed discussion about the legal battle over the book but never mentions what it was about. Given Matthiessen's stature as a gifted writer of novels and books and other writing about the environment and of spiritual matters, perhaps that wasn't high on the priorities. His writings won many awards, including during the period of the lawsuit.

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So true, Jude. It is starkly before us, the reason behind that unfair judgment.

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Or Reality Winner

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I believe in the power of pardon, but not just as a matter of presidential or gubernatorial whim.

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Or for money or favors from the highest bidder

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I'm a little surprised that Trump lacks an e-commerce website for future pay-to-play indulgences.

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The left-wing pioneer Martin Luther had the same idea. He wrote it all out and nailed the document to the ducal church door for all to read. It's on line, in full, and worth a read.

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Technical correction: governor's too have the power to pardon or commute sentences for state transgressions.

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Technical correction: President Obama didn't pardon Chelsea Manning; he commuted her sentence after serving 7 years of her 35 year sentence.

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This is the final test. If these criminals are not punished for their crimes we can drop the “no one is above the law” from any future conversations.

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But, we've already had that test,...twice and each time the thugs voted to protect TFG, completely ignoring the evidence or using a BS phrase like, "it wasn't enough". They placed him above-the-law because if they hadn't we'd wouldn't be here now with knowledge that a former so-called POTUS has stolen nuclear secrets and is holding them hostage against the country. They ALL deserve to go down with him.

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...and of course, we DON'T know where the empty Security folder contents went. There are at least a few places they may have gone and no knowledge of how much payment to whom was involved.

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When enough of us of good will and honor, who are American first, some disposable party stamp second, combine with a roar of outrage with the real silent majority and collectively in one voice 'demand' enough !! *edit in - At a minimum some sound checks and balance laws will have to written; egregious abuse has to be reigned in quite obviously. Many of our laws are written out of the necessity to hold abusers in check; sadly the innocent suffer most times along with guilty minority in most cases. Sadly, that's how it's always been owing to the conniving and manipulative among us.

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At the time, I knew that was a poor decision, cloaked under kindness and forgiveness. Back then, I was inclined to agree, grudgingly, that maybe Ford was wiser than I. We have subsequently learned that he was not.

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I met Gerald Ford; wisdom was not one of his characteristics.

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hmmm... makes sense. however, it wasn't actually his 'decision' was it?? he was chosen so that he'd carry it out?

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I noticed after watching so much coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, that when it came to how many US Presidents she met with, NONE or the reports included X president T***p!

I have to say, I was happy about that. What an embarrassment he was, and still is!

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Agreed.

Presidential pardons, of anybody, undermine the credibility of the justice system.

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When the justice system can be terribly unjust, the pardons just make it worse. Imagine sitting in prison, convicted of a crime that you didn't do, and seeing scum like these tfg mobsters, or anyone who actually did commit a crime, getting pardoned.

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yes!!!! when it's bad... it really malfunctions

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Except that there are times when pardons are appropriate. Laws are not all just. Leonard Peltier is a case in point. The fallibility of humans and imperfection of laws maybe can’t be completely fixed in this case? Throw out all pardons thus hamstringing a better President isn’t the solution. But I understand the impulse.

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It seems to me that a judicial means can be created to serve the same purpose. After having a president who is himself a crook able to unilaterally pardon all his crook friends illustrates the negative possibilities of the current system.

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Somehow I think the turkeys deserve the pardons far far far more than the human "turkeys" that have received them, dont you?

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And above all they are a bit of fun and a gentle acknowledgement of the historic reason for the Thanksgiving feast.

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as long as we don't kill them and eat them... yes

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absolutely!!

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We often hear ourselves say, with remarkable arrogance, that we are the greatest nation in the world. Well, this "great" nation produced a "classless, mannerless dolt" as a dear leader as our democratic institutions try to reassert primacy. Detoxification takes time and dedicated resolve. Our greatest influence comes from modeling the behavior of good self-government under the rule of law, not of men. We are failing miserably in that respect even as we try to correct our course. As we can well see, pardons of rapscallions by rapscallions skew towards dictatorial prerogatives gaining ground in a nation in decline. Honor and humility surpass vainglorious hubris for any nation that aspires to greatest.

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I feel the urgency of this moment everyday. Each can be that ripple of influence that converges in a blue wave. (A bad paraphrase of that Richard Goodwin quote engraved in granite at Robert Kennedy's grave site at Arlington National Cemetery.)

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Yes. Pardons are supposed to be for situations where injustice has occurred or where further punishment is pointless. Of course, the trumper or Nixon concept of injustice is different than many others....

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My thoughts exactly in terms of pardoning criminals who should clearly go jail. I am glad NY has finally caught up with Bannon. I am not a Brit, but an Anglophile and I found myself grieving when I heard the news. Queen Elizabeth II was a remarkable woman indeed. I loved the analysis that she rarely had a misstep in that long reign. I also thought about the first Elizabeth whose birth date was a day before the second Elizabeth's passing 489 years later. I also felt nausea every time there was a picture of death star with the Queen. She must have had extreme patience.

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In the pictures of the Obamas with the Queen - seems very clear there was affection there - especially with Michelle. I agree there must have been a LOT of patience with the former one. Cant imagine how many awful things he would have come out with.

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tRump also broke the law, by wielding those pardons as "quid pro quo's" ... I know, his criminality is so wide-ranging, it's easy to forget some of the minor shit.

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Actually, he knows no law. If something looks like getting in his way, he just makes up a law.

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I'd agree, but, I don't think he has the slightest idea what a law is. I.e., you got the 1st part right: he knows no law.

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yep

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You can add traitor to the list.

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Seems to me that Bill Barr ought to have his face dipped in cow dung. Done a lot of damage historically and wriggling like a fish hoping to get away with it these days

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Why just “dip”? He is a member of Opus Dei as is Cippolone. Their goal is to create a theocracy. I have read Barr’s thoughts on the society we live in vs the one he thinks we should all live in. Taliban of America.

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I don’t believe they want a theocracy unless it includes installing themselves as gods. They damn sure don’t follow any god I’m familiar with.

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Dianna, they don’t care what God you follow. “Their” god hates homosexuality, a woman’s right to control her own body, how many children we give birth to, what our role in society is, etc. They think MEN are GODS in certain cases: their cases. Barr is a really warped guy. He is desperate, as are they all now, of getting prosecuted for their role, in service to 45, to overthrow the US Government as we know it. Just that dire, in my opinion.

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Barr Nun should be disbarred. He is an arrogant blowhard who threw Americans under the bus by stopping Mueller’s investigation. He too, must be charged with obstructing justice.

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Marlene, you got that right. An AG who obstructs justice????? He has a long history of obstructing justice. He is a dangerous man. Do not underestimate these people. They are Evil Incarnate. They are intent on controlling all of “US” The People. They do not think they will die or else they are intent on making their philosophy the Rule after they die. We must not allow this to happen. The Founders knew what they were doing…..

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We can only hope they will be held accountable. That unitary executive theory is bulls$?. That stupid idea is diametrically opposite of what the founders had in mind. They did not want someone with unlimited kingly powers. They fought a war to free themselves from a king. Also forget the the stupid originalism idea. These ideas are just crap that the far right keeps throwing at the wall hoping something sticks, trying to increase their power.

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Draconian. The only word that comes to mind. Total bs. You are right.

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It helps to wear amulets of garlic around them and carry silver bullets.

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Last night I watched the old film, Elizabeth The Golden Age (my small homage to QEII,) Although the film was visually lovely, with Cate Blanchett as the first Queen Elizabeth, I was struck by the Catholic cabal to remove her, by death if necessary. It's an old theme, and it angered me.

In the same manner of Pres Biden differentiating MAGA Republicans from the mainstream Republicans I differentiate mainstream Catholics from the current cabal, Opus Dei, which is working behind the scenes to have its way. Democracy be damned. Religious freedom be damned.

The audacity of OD's self-righteousness and certitude that women's lives are fodder, or at best secondary to men, is as old as the church itself.

BTW, apparently, after a failed coup to kill her, Elizabeth reinvented herself as The Virgin Queen because she and most Europeans revered the Virgin Mary as the epitome of womanhood, not that she was unmarried as I had always thought. So the film indicated...

The cabal to kill the Queen originated in Spain. So did Opus Dei.

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Thank you, Hope. I read all the Ken Follett novels about the building of Cathedrals in medieval England. I learned an amazing amount of history. He describes the intrigues in the Catholic Church, the role of Elizabeth I in changing the Church and so many details of that time. I agree with everything you said. It is still a cabal, in modern day America. Ain’t that the tits?

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And aren't those just the most delicious novels?

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First, let me repeat your distinction between mainstream Catholics and the various cabals that have blossomed in the dark corners of the Church. They are not the same.

I think the Church has, from its inception (or certainly since the Council of Nicaea kind of nailed down the edges) been a unique combination of religious zeal and raw hunger for power, both inside the institution and in the world. And where the religion was held with great fervor, it turned rancid; and where the struggle for power became the guiding force, corruption followed. Money, Power, and God do not make for smooth sailing. In spite of my years of good experience with the Catholic Church (I am not Catholic) and in spite of the almost uniformly fine Catholic friends I have, as just a few off those dark corners are exposed, I shudder. If the power and wealth of pockets of corrupted and religion-mad members of that seat of Christianity throw in their lot with the Bill Barrs and others like him, we are in more trouble than we know.

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The White Nationalist God! https://churchandstate.org.uk/2019/06/opus-deis-influence-is-felt-in-all-of-washingtons-corridors-of-power/

The Federalists are who aligned with the White Nationalist Agenda as far as I can see. In any case, the Judge Aileen Cannon is a member of the Federalist Society too. Coincidence? I think not! These people should be disbarred. They are not capable of being judges because they are bringing strong conservative beliefs to the job, not impartiality.

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Yes. Barr is what's called a Domionist--he believes the United States should be under the dominion of Christianity. And I think there are more of the SCOTUS justices who belong to OpusDei and almost all Trump's appointees belong to the Federalist Society. I find this all pretty scary

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Honestly Liz, I don't buy that (theocracy) as any real underlying goal of these con men and tools. In fact, I'm nearly certain of that.

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I read Bill Barr’s own words in a long article in The NY Times not long ago. Please don’t make me fish it out from the internet. He is really a bad dude, Dan. I am not inventing this. Opus Dei is also a really, really evil organization, documented. Cipollone is a devout Catholic, is an Opus Dei member and has ten children to prove his devotion to the Church. There are dark forces at work. The Church has always played a role in dark politics, esp its collaboration to silence progressive nuns and priests in the underground against Mussolini and Hitler. 45 is not Catholic and Opus Dei is another “club” he has not gained admittance to. So he uses the KKK types to do his bidding. OMG.

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Thank you, Elizabeth, for being careful not to collapse the entire Catholic Church of today into one of its so- called prelatures- Opus Dei. Or to tar all large families ( I am oldest if 14) as " proving devotion to the church"- not the only reason to have a large family-- my mother, critical thinker and anti clericalist, is rolling in her grave!!!

Having said all this I share your concern about the ultra-right, anti- Francis, church/state boundary -erasing, ultra partisan and self- serving twisting of an impulse to be a " godly worker" which some Opus Dei members seem to have. As with all things divisive, their " work" seems mostly to serve their own ambition, not the common good and surely not the sacred, whatever name they put on their pretzeled idea of the transcendent. Thank you.

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Hi Carol, I almost joined the Liberation Theology movement in Nicaragua in 1980’s and considered becoming Catholic. My father was raised Catholic and mother was Jewish, sectarian. I went to mass regularly growing up with Irish Grandma Alice, one of 17 and who had 7 kids herself. My Jewish Great grandmother from Poland had 17 children. She was an Orthodox Jew and did believe all that stuff about devotion through her children. Or else she was a slave to the tradition of the late 19th century. I was venting a bit about Cipollone, who makes me sick politically. I followed Doris Day, the Berrigans and loved all the people like them. I love Pope Francis. Sorry if I said anything to offend. Just writing fast and thinking out loud. We want the sacred to be with us in our private lives and the common good to be in our public lives. I love your phrase: “their pretzeled idea of the transcendent.” Nice to meet you.

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Hi Elisabeth, I was in Nicaragua in the '80s with Witness for Peace. I loved the Liberation Theology movement! I joined a Mass with the sweet villagers and Religious folks...nuns and a priest, given in honor of Mothers of the Disappeared (a movement throughout Latin America to search for missing youth whom right wing pols were kidnapping and killing.) To my ever grateful surprise I was called up with the mothers. My two sons were abducted by their father and lost to me for 26 years.

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No offense, Elizabeth. I was complimenting you on your acknowledgement of " the rest of the church" ( the radical nuns and priests you knew). We Catholics, God knows, are not perfect but some of our tribe are exemplary. You mention Dorothy Day from our own era. There are so many other courageous and gutsy women in the Catholic tradition of saints who long before the women's movements were our " dangerous memories" of creative female sabateurs, who, in many cases, took on even cowardly and hyper partisan Popes and Bishops who tried so hard to control them. Often called hysterical in their own times but later recognized as holy by later, more discerning leaders.

You have a fascinating family story yourself. What a beautiful coming together of diverse traditions and experiences in your one person.Glad you are here. You are a good example of the fabulous people HCR draws to her campfire!! Thank you again and no apology needed!!!

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I can imagine a terrible power behind “Faith Based” judicial appointments that knits together the Great Schizm in The Roman Church that was brought about by factors of mercantile classes and Kings against Popes. The two faiths are now riding on the fuel of Fundamentalism : money in the hands of White Men. It’s a closed loop- the more money for a few, the more stricture in the social sphere.

Religious non Catholic Fundamentalists believe in Country as ordained by a Protestant God ; The Calvinistic interpretation of both biblical and Constitutional texts .

Opus Dei Fundamentalist Catholics primary occupation is its ancient war against women. Re-establishing a God As Man dominance in social structure, and seeding adherents in the judiciary aims to control power .

Both benefit from Originalist rulings.

The power behind both, is money in the pockets of white men. I feel it will be a power usurped by the rise of a corporate that is representative in both gender and race, of the population. The law of Entropy will destroy that closed loop, be it with the demise of the fuel : money or belief, or both.

Ultimately, Business wants stability. Social Democracy in an elected Republic will triumph with the buying power of all Americans, and the evidence of a just government under The Bill Of Rights.

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Wow. Just wow, Mary.

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It’s something cosmic, sorta- the two religious views melding finally, in the Crucible of our land. It’s all been money , after all, for organized earthly bound “faith.”

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Elisabeth As a Foreign Service Officer in Chile I had some contact with Opus Dei--fine if you favor the 16th century Catholic Church. Perhaps I prefer ecumenical Christianity (as well as other religions) and no more Inquisitions. I believe that this is touched on in Dan Brown's (name?) books and movies.

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Elizabeth--

I think you are quite correct that Trump used the Catholic radicals as he used Protestant Christian Nationalists, not because he shared any of their beliefs, but because they enhanced his electoral chances and hence access to office and power. For their own purposes the dominionists backed Trump because he assisted gaining judicial control, seeking governmental power over favored social and cultural issues--again, not because he shared their beliefs.

I'm not sure which NYT article you were thinking of, but it may well have referenced Barr's 2019 speech at Notre Dame:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-william-p-barr-delivers-remarks-law-school-and-de-nicola-center-ethics

And, if that's not enough to drive you to drink, we have Alito's "religious liberty" address, celebrating and smirking after Dobbs, and hoping for further conquests:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-william-p-barr-delivers-remarks-law-school-and-de-nicola-center-ethics

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Thank you, Tom. I’ll have a look. It all drives me to drink, and cry and worry about our future. If church and state were REALLY separate, the way they are SUPPOSED to be, none of this would exist. How dare “they” tell “us” what to believe, how to believe, who to pray to, to pray at all! Oh dear…..

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My bad. I flubbed pasting the Alito link and just repeated Barr's. Here's the "religious liberty" address:

https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/2022-religious-liberty-summit-rome-justice-samuel-alito-keynote/

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I saw a video of Alito laughing about the Roe v Wade overturn. What a craven Kraken of a man. Ginni Thomas and her hubbie also. Krakens, whatever the hell that is….

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I think the powerful find Theocracy to be useful to their goal of dismantling what's left of our democracy to achieve a purer, in every evil way, Kleptocracy.

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It's pretext, not the objective

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I'm fascinated by how he suddenly appears to have found 'religion' , both in his remarks during the January 6th hearings and now with his commentary on the situation in MAL. I still don't trust him as far as I can throw him and I can't help but wonder what his endgame is?!

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Réhabilitation

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MLM, you're right. Barr is playing the re-hab game. Makes me 🤮

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Someone on Nicole Wallace yesterday called Barr's wiggling "his rehabilitation tour." A little too late for that, Billy boy.

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Diana,

Barr made a LOT of money being a lap dog and doing the bidding of the the criminals in the Republican Party.

I am sure, to him, that is all that matters.

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Perhaps— but I suspect he has some regrets from his miserable lapdog days.

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Anything is possible, but, I highly doubt he feels that getting rich under a bunch of crooks by hiding/cloaking/supporting /enabling their crmininality was a mistake. What he was doing was obvious at the time, not opaque.

My guess is Barr feels proud, feels right, that he furthered the Republican cause through various "tricky" legal methods.

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Sep 9, 2022·edited Sep 9, 2022

Mike S.--

Agreed. Barr plays the long game, and is smart enough to see that he had ridden the Trump train as far as it was going to go. So--he got off, but only after the election; remember Durham [https://www.justsecurity.org/72243/bill-barrs-hidden-truths-about-justice-departments-rule-of-forbearance-in-an-election/].

As you undoubtedly know, Barr didn't say anything about the machinations around Jan. 6, which he must have known of, until 18 months later. He was safe because he had resigned 12/2020, and could either just lie back and admire the judicial-appointment fruits of his labors or check the schedules for another train.

No flies on Fred.

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Mike, WHAT “Republican Cause”???? It’s the Bill Bar cause he is happy about. OMG.

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Yes

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Post Jan 6 Barr still said he would vote for Trump if Trump ran again.

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Definition of insanity.

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Definition of lap dog/ass licker.

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Definition of Evil Incarnate. Dogs are nice, ass licking or not….

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Like I said, POS.

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Not enough regrets, Liz, to make him a “good” person. He is a total pos.

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Diana, let’s get rid of him and all the grifters in this unfolding drama. Shakespeare must be looking down on us with great satisfaction…..out., out Damned Spot.

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If Opus Dei is the police of the perfect church, wouldn't his activities as Donald's attorney general mar Barrs credibility? And, while we're at it, Stephen Miller as well? What does the Pope say?

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Stephen Miller is Jewish and therefore cannot to be a member of Opus Dei.

"Non-Catholic Christians and people of other religions cannot belong to the Prelature, but they can be its Cooperators, if they wish. Cooperators pray for Opus Dei or help it by means of their work and donations towards the educational and social projects undertaken by the faithful of the Prelature throughout the world. At present, there are Cooperators of Opus Dei who are Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Jewish, Moslem, and Buddhist, as well as people who have no religion."

https://opusdei.org/en-us/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Miller_(political_advisor)

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Miller is Adolf Eichmann reincarnated. He is an embarrassment to Jews everywhere. The fact that he procreated and now has a daughter is revolting! He and wifey want an Aryan race. I won’t be alive but I can’t wait until she brings home a boy or girl who is of a different race!

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Buddhist!!! I cannot imagine that any Buddhist practicing equanimity and insight, nor Muslims, could adhere to OD. Maybe Miller made that up?

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No, that was directly from the Opus Dei website.

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Makes you kinda shiver, doesn’t it?

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The Pope has bigger fish to fry.

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I think he’s his own worst enemy—forget cow dung- he’s gown obese and that will affect his long term health.

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Diana, A blessing on your house for saying this. Bill Barr, testifying, pontificating, his opinion sought by the news pundits, makes me want to scream. This whole circus has thrown up some unlikely heroes. How about Jeff Sessions, a man thrown off the bench in Alabama for racism, suddenly a poster child for legal integrity. And Barr is so very much worse. He sat there testifying to the Jan 6 Committee, laughing, making a big joke of the whole thing, as if he'd just read about it. And now I'm thinking about that insufferably self-righteous prig, James Comey, who had no place to say a word after he opened the investigation into HER EMAILS two weeks before the election.

Just looking at that incomplete list makes me realize the sea change we have undergone, almost a complete reversal of standards, like the mirror images in a fun house Halloween ride.

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Diana Bah Bah Barr dipped in Donald Dung—what an excremental delight!

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No surprise that Barr said in an I terrier that he doesn't think Trump should be charged. Pardon me! But I disagree!!

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I have never understood how Ford's "full, free, and absolute pardon…for all offenses against the United States which he…has committed or may have committed or taken part in” was even considered legal. How do you pardon in advance of indictment? Ironically, since Nixon's primary crime was said to be "the coverup", the sabotage of the normal authority of rule of law reanimated an ongoing "coverup" since, while the President's conduct had been extensively investigated by a congressional hearing, a criminal investigation is different both in intent and scope. My concern here was not that Nixon paid so little for abuse of publicly entrusted power, but that a firm boundary proscribing presidential abuse of power was not firmly set. Yes, you lose your job if shown to have seriously abused entrusted authority, but if laws are broken, that is not where it ends. We investigate, in part, as we would a plane crash, to see how me might prevent it from happening again.

Nixon was enough emboldened to claim the his only regret was not having destroyed the taped evidence against him, a message his party apparently took to heart. From Ford on, Republicans have warped the law to defeat the intent and function of the law. Certainly Trump pardons, executed and promised, show that cynical misuse of presidential power, sans checks and balances, provides criminal activity with a loophole wide enough to sail an oil tanker through.

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Totally with you on that JL. I not only never understood it, from then to this day I won't accept it. You or I, for far less would have paid a dear price, just upon suspicion and indictment - not even considering the legal bills. If anyone is above the law, the whole system is a sham. We cannot pass this on to the next (hopefully) generation of Americans. jmho

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"Justice" with a blindfold is clearly not supposed to be indifferent to facts, but indifferent to status; as is ironically engraved on the Supreme Court building, Equal Justice Under Law. It is clearly not equal for the poor and minorities, and it is clearly not equal for the wealthy and politically connected.

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J L,

One important aspect of Ford's pardon and Barr's long wavelength support for criminal behavior is we can see how weak/failed our original Constitution is where holding rich, white men to legal standards is relevant.

Basically, our current Constitution enables anyone without ethics to do anything they want and get by with it IF they are "important" (white, male and rich).

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Yes, but the one thing the Founding Fathers did do and that was to leave room for amendments. That is what we should be doing now, amend, amend, AMEND!

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That too was wise. The Enlightenment thinking that influenced the framers championed the value of boldly going where human minds had not gone before, at least not to the same degree. The ultimate power of the Constitution is invested in the living, so long as they live. The illogical idea pushed by ideologues such as Alito is ideas are more true the older they are, regarding the rights of women, for instance. I quote and refer to some old ideas that I think have preserved their merit, but not as any kind of proof of validity, only that social justice what the right wing now demonizes as "un-American" is really as American as apple pie. The right wing reaches back further, in content if not always phraseology, to an even older era of autocratic kings and feudalism, perhaps as far back as what are sometimes called "The Dark Ages".

"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought." - Bashō

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I don't see that in the Constitution. There was blatant hypocrisy and self-serving ignorance among the framers, but I see the philosophy of document taken as a whole to be an effort to establish justice, and it has expanded social justice when applied in good faith. The problem is that any tool can become a weapon in predatory hands. The collective We in the end are tasked with keeping that honest, and the Watergate episode, in which prominent Republicans were willing to join Democrats condemning Nixon, as compared to Crime-wave Trump shows how far that slipped standard slipped since Nixon's "pardon".

Of course, US justice and justice in the world is always uneven, but we collectively make choices that influence its status.

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I will never forget that day when Ford gave the almighty pardon to “Tricky Dick”. It was infuriating! He lost face with the American public but not Betty. She battled her own demons and did so in the public. She let the world know that she was not perfect and neither were politicians. I always admired her.

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I think the timing of Ford’s pardon accomplished what he wanted— a healing. Nixon did some real good with China relations and other foreign policy and his resignation must have been sheer hell.

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Nixon always displayed a shady side, and dispatching "hatchet man" Agnew is unpardonable, but Nixon in many respects was a good president, especially his environmental leanings. That said, his attempts to misuse the powers of his office in abusive ways was a deal breaker. I think how much Nixon did or didn't suffer is peripheral to holding presidents accountable to a pretty clean performance given how consequential irresponsible or malicious behavior becomes in that office. And power so easily corrupts.

I don't see that what followed Nixon's pardon was really healing. Healing would have involved mutual acceptance of higher standards for presidents. Instead, we got Reagan. I think it squelched that outcome in a meaningful way. South Africa's Desmond Tutu was anything but vindictive, but was convinced that full disclosure of the truth was the way to reconciliation.

"Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people." - John Adams

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As someone who was on both his enemies list and J. Edgar Fruitfly's COINTELPRO list for the crime of believing in the First Amendment, he'll always be a piece of shit to me. Especially after researching my two Vietnam books. And yeah, compared to the modern scum, he's almost quaint in believing in the system as he did.

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Agree that he was always a piece of shit! I never saw anything he did that was good. I lived in DC as a young college student when he enforced his “no knock’” law. The DC police force was way corrupt also...stole drugs and sold them on the black market. They ingested them too!

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".. peripheral to holding presidents accountable.." Well said JL. You and I are reasonably good men till the day we hold up a bank.

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Liz, I think the timing of Ford's pardon (nearly) accomplished what he wanted - trying to help the American electorate move on quickly so as not to compromise his own chance to be elected President in 1976. Happily, America's attention span was a a bit longer back then.

Further, I do not consider 8 years of Ronald Reagan -- then 8 more of Dubya--to be "a healing".

I also think the jury is still out on how much real good Nixon's China opening has done for the USA and the world, though it certainly seemed like a good idea at the time and a most un-Republican sort of thing for a normally hawkish politician to do.

Also, Nixon was just as unscrupulous as Trump, but a lot more clever and not certifiably sociopathic. He really was a "crook" and should have had to pay the price. Being President is a privilege and should not come with a get-out-of-jail-free card.

And sheer hell is Trump.

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"Opening" relations with China was sensible. Giving our manufacturing away to China was insane. Selling our debt to China is nuts. Why did we allow ourselves to be held hostage?

Because the status of American employment and National Security has been handled by the stockholders of American companies. I wonder what our relationship with China would be right now if iPhones, TVs and every imaginable little plastic piece of shit sold by Walmart and Amazon had not found their factory homes in a nation that may be our greatest enemy/competitor.

Hello attention span deficient America! Masks and the elements of Covid test kits? Oy.

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The US manufacturing sector happily ran to China for two primary reasons - cheap labor and no environmental regulations. The US manufacturers exported their pollution to China and cost Americans their jobs. Yet, as you point out, Americans continually buy the products without thought as to how they are guilty of feeding the monster that is consuming them.

If and when manufacturing returns to the US are we as a citizenry willing to put in the hard work to back the Environmental regulations that will be needed?

We haven’t yet cleaned up and restored the Superfund sites we already have.

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Yes and yes. It will require a new attitude about the cost of things. Companies will have to dip into profits, dividends and stock buy backs to pay for their responsibilities - costs of American labor and environmental stewardship.

And consumers will need to adjust to products costing more. That doesn't need to be deprivation. No one really needs to spend $800 to $1000 for a phone to talk, text, email and snap a couple of photos (or record a cop killing someone in custody). We can readjust our device worship and make practical choices. We can cut back our monthly bills re: useless cable channels. The list of belt tightening opportunities is long.

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I buy most of my major tech items used, if I can, and somewhat out of date. Bling is so insubstantial.

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Short term corporate profits tr#mp long term national (and human) interests. It's a key tenet of Reaganomics.

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Listened to NPR interview yesterday with the Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi. He said water issues have been ongoing for 30 years, despite pleas to Miss. Gov for funding. Money from infrastructure bill, meant for cities like Jackson, will be diverted to the governor's preferred communities, something he literally said when talking to the EPA rep.

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The now outdated word for that is "corruption". It means misuse of publicly entrusted power, though the Republican Party now seems to be built of it.

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You've got that straight.

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Sheer hell for sure is our orange monster. Yes ultimately Nixon was a crook but he also really respected the field of public service. Monster is exponentially more of a crook and certainly a sociopath.

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I think that Nixon was an odd mix of public mindedness and treachery. I can find no praiseworthy qualities in Trump whatsoever; quite the contrary; in every way.

Nixon was forward thinking on environmental issues even by modern standards. He even acknowledged bad corporate behavior, as no Republican president has done since. It's not that the good cancels out the bad Nixon perpetrated, but I think both sides were real.

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I'm in agreement. He was a complex and difficult personality. There was definitely some good in him, along with a lot of bad. I think a lot of that was the effect of his father, who was all expectations and no nurturing. Which probably drove Nixon to steal the '68 election.

But you watch the 1960 debates, and he and Kennedy got on well with each other.

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Reagan did a lot of dreadful things as president. He left America in way worse shape than he found it.

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These insecure men …

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Well, everyone IS out to get us y'know.

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I still agree with Richard Ben-Veniste who said "I wanted to see that shovel nose sticking out between bars."

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I couldn't help smiling this morning when I saw the image of Bannon in cuffs.

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LOL R Dooley !

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A healing? Nope. Some animals are better than others… “Animal Farm”.

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Some animals are more equal than others.

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Thanks for correcting me it has been at least 50 years since I read Animal Farm.

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I taught the book a decade ago, so relatively fresh in my memory. You had the gist of it.

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Was that accomplished? Because I remember hearing many loud discussions from my family members about how UNFAIR that PARDON was for that CROOK NIXON.

So Ford's "healing" was obviously just for the politicians.....

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Agreed. I don’t understand how it was healing at all. Just cemented the distrust of government. No consequences for crooks in business suits. Then folks think: “If they can get away with it why can’t I?”, which just delivers to us more people thinking laws and rules are made for everyone else. An unpleasant world to say the least. https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1567279638707060738.html

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It was healing. It was also a bad precedent. They are not mutually exclusive.

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I agree that it smoothed things over, but believe that true healing, which is often painful did not really occur. Rather it covered over an infection that continued to grow. It was only palliative relief. Checks and balances really started breaking down under Reagan.

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Well said, JL..!

👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋

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Sep 9, 2022·edited Sep 9, 2022

Is the pendulum of justice finally swinging in the right direction after so many impediments, all contrived by Republicans through the decades? The pendulum may be creaking and groaning but to me it seems decidedly headed left.

And speaking of justice, I don't recall any time in my long life when so many engaged citizens were riveted by a federal court case as they are by Trump's theft of top secret documents. This is clear on social media. In my small physical space, it is too. At another impromptu gathering of evening walkers at the corner outside our house, several of us dissected the DOJ's latest filing. Non lawyers all, we had opinions galore of how Judge Cannon might rule. Will she save face after so much ridicule and grant the DOJ's motion? Will she continue to try to please Trump and, if so, what is her real motivation?

Democracy is under grave threat, but its heart is still beating loud and clear.

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As Heather periodically points out, it is exactly our conversations with friends and family that are the heart of our democratic process--better than news or social media! Kudos to you and your evening walkers!

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And yet those are the hardest “conversations” for me to have because they seem to always begin with an attack that makes me not want to say another word. Several friendships hang in the balance. When Biden was elected I was so happy that I would not have to wake up every morning wondering what damage the tfg had wrought as I slept. Instead, he continues to fill every single day with chaos. I hope it ends soon.

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That’s so hard when attacked to find a way to calmly stand up for yourself and then disengage.

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Loose Cannon has a lot to learn about governing from the bench. But then, she is hogtied by the one and only Federalist Society chums. That’s her motivation...to appease her boss, Leo.

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I read more about her background and thin-as-gruel resume. It's baffling why she was confirmed. The vote: 56-21. Twenty-three Democratic senators were absent that day and didn't vote, while 12 Democrats approved her nomination. In hindsight, I see a dereliction of duty.

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Given the timing of the vote and the political context at that time, those Democrats need to do some explaining.

To me, this is just another example of Democratic hypocrisy, and worse, the repercussions ripple through the party and acts to weaken the entire Democratic stand against fascism.

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Asleep at the wheel…sigh🙄

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Thanks Dr. Richardson. A shout to Letitia James you have been investigating and investigating TFG and his family for years. Isn’t it time for an indictment? Oh, we are near an election? We are always near an election and TFG is not running at all right now. Does Justice go on furlough between Labor Day and Thanksgiving?

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It seems to me that not only should running for an office give you no immunity against prosecution, if the candidate is a crook, we ought to know before installation. Once a candidate is seriously running, we might want to be extra alert for attempts to discredit a candidate with bogus claims, with possible indictment of those that attempt throw an election with "Trumped Up" charges.

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Well, Comey didn't get that memo

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For sure, and that was a much bigger deal than it was portrayed. It was not a lie that the FBI had new material, and it was not a lie that Hillary Clinton should have known better than to conduct government business on an insecure channel, but there was from the get-go no material evidence of serious harm. The dramatic public announcement was neither justified or just, and the timing predictably had serious consequences, giving the biggest crook in the history of the presidency an excuse for his endless, inane chants of "Lock her up".

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I certainly believe the timing had much to do with the election outcome. And I hope Comey is reminded of that every time he looks in the mirror

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There is a revolting irony given Trumps proven breaches of security by even having sensitive secrets in his possession in very insecure circumstances, and credible fears of their compromise.

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I believe he regrets having taken that action.

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A history of skewed justice has emboldened the crooked politicians to the utmost degree. How much more before the system crumbles? If chump would run and win in 2024, all his crooked cronies would be off the hook, and run amok like nothing we have ever seen before in this country. Be very afraid..

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Sep 9, 2022·edited Sep 9, 2022

Jeri,

Perhaps the system already crumbled?

Reagan managed to sell weapons to Iran at the same time we were selling weapons to Iraq during the Iran/Iraq war. I assume he pocketed half the money and then laundered to rest to the bloodthirsty folks in Latin America.

Bush II managed to, out of nowhere, invent a story about how Afghanistan should be invaded because, after all, NONE of the people on ANY of the planes that attacked us were from Afghanistan.

Bush II then managed to invade Iraq because there were NO weapons of mass destruction there.

Bush II also managed to pass, in 2001, a law legalizing banking "derivatives" that were immediately used to bundle worthless mortgages and sold wordwide. We all know what happened after that.

Then, along came Trump with a list of crimes and broken laws that will fill books going forward. Stealing documents and selling them to the highest bidder, printing money from the Fed to buy corporate bond ETF's (basically, theft of government money by big corporations), violent insurrection, tit for tat for weapons to Ukraine, and more.

So, who says the system is working? It is not.

Basically, our system is so weak that a fat, rich, white, special needs crook can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants and completely get away with it.

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Reality has a crushing pressure that breaks through the haze of myth

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I agree Mike that our system of government, as designated in the Constitution, is antiquated and reliant on people's good intentions. Times change and politics inherently attracts people with self-serving bad intentions.

The wealthy have always used their money to buy influence. And the system is so rigged that every election is a contest of who raises the most money. We have the best government money can buy, and that is proven every year when you see the level of income and wealth inequality.

I hate politics and most politicians. Politicians are some of the biggest grifters, conmen, and morally corrupt people in the world. Not only is our form of government a magnet for attracting bad people, it also repels good people who won't go into politics because they don't want to be associated with or deal with lowlifes.

I'll close by invoking an idiom that pretty much says it all. "We have foxes in charge of the hen house."

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Excellent writing and post. Thanks.

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Don’t be afraid: get busy and prevent this from happening. How can anyone even talk about “if” he runs and “if” he wins in 2024. That is only two years away. I hope he’ll be enjoying his prison burgers with ketchup.

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emphasis on "Get Busy" --- WE HAVE 60 DAYS, folks! reference moveon.org, vote.org, fairfight.org and mobilize.us and start writing, texting, marching, door knocking and Calling.

The Repos have changed the rules and Dem voters need HELP. ie Thanks to Kemp et al it will take 15% more Dem voters, all in the right places, to keep GA blue and get Abrams in charge at last.

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Sep 9, 2022·edited Sep 9, 2022

Thank you for reference to organizations and reminder of extra 15% votes needed. Nuts and bolts advice for how to gain votes is precious as is time to get it done.

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The Kectchup Muralist of Cell Block Six.

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Without ketchup. Let him suffer.

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On another subject, Miriam reports: "The grain in Spain grows mainly in Ukraine!" "I think she's got it!"

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OMG, that’s brilliant! 🤣

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And, it appears, if you bought the right judge (Aileen "Loose" Cannon for example), you are above the law.

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Robert Hubbell has an incredible breakdown of the DOJ and FBI appeals in his substack today. Both T and C are in trouble.

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He has quite a way with fly-by-night females. Lawyers, I'm talking about this time.

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What's a fly-by-night female? Different from a fly-by-night make?

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But only if you belong to the right church.

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As a more light-hearted distraction from the daily list of anxiety-producing news events, begin your day with this link to a 2-min video from Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project (LP) to TFG. Yesterday LP placed one of their best ads ever directly on the Faux "News" channel knowing that Chump watches every day and to get into his head. The ad was addressed to his base whom they call Suckers for falling for his grift and sending him millions in donations to line his pockets. The result was predictable with the infuriated treasonist immediately posting he is suing Fox and LP for allowing the ad.

The video is Rick Wilson's response on behalf of the Lincoln Project. It will make your day. The original ad video is farther down the thread

https://twitter.com/TheRickWilson

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If you're not on Twitter, like me and it won't let you view w/o signing in, the original links to all of it are here:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-fox-news-lawsuit-lincoln-project-ad_n_631a2036e4b046aa02325555

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I watched it with glee before I crawled into bed! I had no idea it had run on FAUX news?! Did I understand you correctly?!

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Yes, it was on Faux "News" but, they do it specifically to taunt Him (Chump) knowing it drives him crazy so, it's done locally in the place(s) he is in residence, clearly to save $. Here's a quote from one of the sources that posted the article:

"For years, The Lincoln Project has been taunting Donald Trump with vicious targeted ads aired on networks he watches in the places he lives.

That strategy paid off on Thursday, when the former president lashed out at an ad — suitably titled “SUCKER” — which aired on Fox News in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump resides in the warmer months of the year."

I try not to take joy in it because it takes us all down below the sewage line into his realm but, in this case it's just impossible to not LOL because Wilson (and everyone at this point) now knows what drives him and parrots it back to him so openly. And I am in no way close to counting-our-chickens but in this same way it does feel the DOJ, now knowing his (and his allies like "Loose Cannon") own methods has used them to thread the needle in their targeted response appeal yesterday to tighten the noose on his neck just a tiny bit tighter. There's still way too much slack for real Americans and the Free World but it surely does give that sense of hope among the doom we are living in.

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Take no prisoners, Rick. You might as well be sticking needles into a voodoo doll of Trump. I can hear him squealing.

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Rick sure knows how to get under tRump's skin.

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Thanks, BK. Absolutely made my day.

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I loved the cover of the National Lampoon magazine in November 1974 issue depicting what it thought of Ford after he pardoned Nixon. It also had a radio show in those days where they depicted Nixon and Rebozo playing a game of Monopoly. (Rebozo: Mr President, you just rolled three doubles in a row. You're going to jail! Nixon: What did you say, Bebe? I won't be hamstrung by petty legal obstructions!)

I laughed at the satire then but Ford's pardon, and Reagan's subsequent criminality, were certainly major inflection points in the continuing Republican effort to destroy our democracy.

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These criminal government officials are not royalty and must be held accountable otherwise our system of laws will further erode compromising our democratic system

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A 1-term Congressional Rep is now called "Congressman/woman" for life. We've been developing an American peerage class--in addition to the Gilded--for a while now.

People object when Trump is called "President Trump," but Obama is called "President Obama" still and so is President Carter.

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I live in San Diego county and someone wrote to the letters to the editor that Biden should pardon

The last president for the good of the country!A way to

bring the nation together. Not sure where he got that idea. No way I want to see him in orange , behind bars!

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Another San Diego right wing moron. Must live in North County, jut sayin'...

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Maybe valley center , vista or Escondido.hopefully not the coast!

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Let’s don’t keep doing the same crazy Schitt that led us to this sorry place to begin with. Did the letter come from Mar-A-largo?

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Sep 9, 2022·edited Sep 9, 2022

No reason to believe the letter didn't originate from eastern San Diego County: that's part of California's 50th Congressional District (see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/California%27s_50th_congressional_district and the sordid saga of Duncan D. Hunter, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_D._Hunter, re-elected in spite of indictment for misuse of campaign funds).

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Hell, them's GOP credentials.

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In fairness to the voters of East County, Hunter the Marine's margin of victory in November 2018 - post-indictment, pre-conviction - was thinner even than the excuses for his peculations, against an opponent who was not merely Democratic and non-military but of Hispanic and Palestinian stock.

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"I live in San Diego county and someone wrote to the letters to the editor that Biden should pardon the last president for the good of the country"

That worked out so well the first time around.

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San Clemente, Nixon's Western White House, is next door to La Jolla and San Diego.

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Must’ve written by someone in Orange County! 😊

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Our laws, like our constitutionally guaranteed rights, have long been unevenly applied. :’-(

RIP QE2. Such a model leader and human. She affirmed a truth I’m ever wrestling with, “grief is the cost of love.” My thanks to her and condolences to her loved ones.

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The phrase "during his time in the presidency" sticks out to me today for two reasons:

1) Nixon whose greatest crime against the Country was PRIOR to his 1st term. He, somehow, found out about LBJ's secret post-Tet peace overtures to Uncle Ho and blew them up with false promises. In my mind, that makes him responsible for all the Deaths in SE Asia from Spring '68 through the End.

How much worse was the tally because of Nixon reneging on his promise to Uncle Ho?

However, the two main witnesses, LBJ and Sen Ev Dirksen (R-IL) were already deceased by 1974. Although I am sure there would have been sufficient evidence discoverable.

And,

2) tRUmp both before and after. The collusion with Russia during the '16 compaign, which we know was accurate. And, now, After, his limitless grifting and fomenting of continuing Insurrection present and Future. Plus, there is the matter of his Taxes. He owes US Hundreds of $Million$, if not Billion$.

He is a Former President, now. Lock him up!

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The problem for Trump is that he picked the pockets of little people. And put it directly into his own pockets. Traceable. How gauche. He was the 1%'s useful idjit. What with the tax bill and deregulation. And all he got was 4 years of grifting 'the base' and the government - stealing from the relatively little guys twice.

Leonard Leo, a much more adept arriviste, makes the 1% pay for the services he provides in the dark as sort of a sanctimonious houseboy. Dark money shuffled through dirty shell corps to dubious causes - no one pays taxes, no publicity, and enough leftover for Moneybags (Leo's high school moniker) from the NJ suburbs to afford the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Although not necessarily the social acceptance..

Here on MDI, Leo is making donations trying to whitewash what of his reputation is known but the sense is that he's not exactly in with the old money crowd. Possibly the protests aren't helping him.

An interesting development with a regional paper said to be owned by a Susan Collins' former bagman. (Leo held a big fundraiser for Collins after her vote for Kavanaugh.) Without contacting the protestor who was subject of a story, a reporter repeated and amplified misinformation corrected elsewhere. In the Comments section there is a direct line from the misleading headline to threats of vigilantism - which somehow passed the paper's Comment's section filters/editors.

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Thanks for the report, lin.

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😲 Bring us up to date please! ❤️

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And yet these MAGA… people, (not the word that first came to mind,) keep sending these crooks money! Lots and lots of it!

I’m reminded of the televangelists of the 90’s; Jim and Tammy Fay Baker, Jimmy Swaggert, et al.

“God wants you to give me money!” They quickly got rich.

P.T. Barnum was right; some sheep just want to be shorn.

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I heard Tammy Fay's make-up was removed and you know what they found? - Jimmy Hoffa.

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Is Geraldo Rivera still looking for Hoffa?

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Probably

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Hoffa can't stop laughing at him.

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Thanks for this one Steve. Always like to start the day with a good laugh.

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MAGAt, where the "t" stands for "troglodytes" seems to work for me. I also love the pronunciation.

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