It certainly feels as if some chaos agent has kicked the living hell out of common sense, but am not yet fully convinced they will win. I’m willing to hope and act as if we can get through this. We will.
I am one of your biggest supporters and your firm but kind presentation of facts makes me cautious but motivates me. I would like your writings on the front page of every paper. Today my hope is , “ I want women to step forward and be vocal and hold their own in fighting this battle”. That would be a mass of people that have never been counted on to be the change agent. For those of you who say women are doing just that. I say in history we have been noted but not respected. Just look at how many people who say , “the US is not ready for a “Woman President”. I’m just putting it out there that one part of this country that sits back and is lead around is the Female Population. I’m putting my energy into groups like Planned Parenthood and Moms Demand Action and Resistance Live . I want the female population which is about half the world to think about how just in numbers if you get those that are silent to stand up and take action it is the force to be reckoned with. They just need leadership like you to help us along. It is not as easy as I make it sound and probably not exactly as I have stated it but, we all need to not be afraid to have conversations about truth and facts and make sure women are at the table.
When a chaos agent like Trump is released into politics - we get the USA as it is today. Divided, violent, willfully ignorant, unable to discern fact from fiction. In the true form of life imitating art, I have to chuckle (or grimace) when I think that the adversary in the 1960's Cold War spy show "Get Smart" was called "Chaos." However they had easily identifiable villains who were never Americans, always the other guy with the silly accent. How true is the old adage "we have seen the enemy, and it is us."
The GOP has become a party of nihilists. They stand for nothing - to them what's up is down, what's down is up. All they want is power. And once they get it, their sole goal is to do anything to keep it. Not to govern.
I agree, do they really want to live like the Russian people. I know I sure don’t. What is power when it means you do not value another person’s right to live...let alone right to own a gun. None of this makes sense to me at all. But then, I suppose I am old enough now that it won’t affect me for much longer... it will my family and grandchildren(I shudder to think about it) I say prosecute immediately it is out of control.
The realistic part is that the predators are always with us. That is always the problem that civil societies must face.
For a brief period from the late 1930s to about Reagan's term, the USA achieved a remarkable political economy with the New Deal.
Rather than a complex set of political policies, the government simply (1) returned much of the country's income to the people's use and (2) heavily regulated business operations (which are all under government license and protection, anyway).
For all its social failings, which led to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, The New Deal was an undeniable economic and political success. It was a nascent breathing space in the typical behavior of the European diaspora, which was unleashed under the terms of the Papal Bull of 1493. This essentially granted European men free rein to conquer and despoil as much of the non-Christian world as they saw fit. And they did.
With the growth of communication technologies (think radio and TV for starters), the "Deregulators" successfully rolled back constraints on their predatory behavior, and we find ourselves beset on all sides by the oldest of gambits -- Divide and Conquer.
Apparently, most folks are as confused by this gambit as the predators seek to make them.
For but one example, the arms dealers sell to all sides, and the more widespread the conflict, the more money they make selling their wares. Thus, the US has become the most heavily armed citizenry in the history of the world. And what has this availed us?
If we were educating our people, the answer on a test would not be the content of the Constitution and Bill of Rights (though knowing that content is imperative to answer)... the question would be, How does this clause affect your daily life? Could you rewrite the clause so it better reflects what you want?
It’s beyond insulting to me, as a citizen of this country, to listen to the cowardly leadership that continues to validate all things “Tr—-“. It is disturbing, indeed, that members of Congress
(I understand now are referred to as Putin-Republicans) are accomplices to the behavior of our current “criminal defendant”(2). Is accountability on the horizon? Will Justice be recognized?
I like to imagine most people (outside of politics) will know it when they see it.
And, SEE it they DEMAND. No more rhetoric. No more “promises”. Certainly no more talk of acquittals. Is guilt by association even a consideration? I wonder.
I recall having felt respect for anyone, ANYONE, who had the courage to speak candidly and honestly about the unacceptable behavior of “Phlegm”(I refer to him). Mitt Romney(3/5) being one of them. Liz Cheney also comes to mind. I was hoping others would be more supportive of Romney. Not to be.
“Job security” (1), and willing to do whatever it takes to maintain it was/is paramount it seems. It is sad to hear of Romney’s plight. But, who can blame him? Death threats to him and his family. Extra security details needed at quite an expense. Just what ought a person tolerate?
Like common sense, seems one’s conscience is being tested.
As always, I am hopeful we will be enlightened. I’m certainly encouraged by reading your posts Steven. Thank You.
Romney committed the GOP sin of publicly stating the truth. That was awkward for them. He had the good fortune of not facing re-election soon after the impeachment votes. Not that it would have changed his vote, but it gave voters a chance to change their minds. He is leaving with an approval rate that increased from 40% in May to 56% in August. 54% of Utah voters said they would vote for him again.
Despite that, there is no sign he would be allowed to serve effectively in the Senate. The Tommy Poopervilles are gaining traction. Those who cross them are relegated to the sidelines. A shameful thing that happens all too often in our society when thoughtful people cannot be made to conform.
Sobering! While we must be clearly watchful and proactive of the Republican push towards authoritarianism, we must work harder on finding common ground with those conservatives willing to communicate with us. Mimicking those like MTG and Matt Gates with words that attack does not help our cause.
Clearly showing the danger to our freedoms that a trump style government will produce is the best way to sell undecided voters.
I think the most scary observations are (1) that Putin and Trump are so aligned and that Putin is, in effect, interfering in our democracy and (2) that almost half of young people around the world lean toward autocracy and strong man rule. When did the rules change about leaders of other countries interfering in other country's elections? When did democracy lose its value? And why? And how? The sad observations are those about Romney. Though I am not on the GOP side of the aisle, I believe in the 2-party system, and appreciate and value a good discussion of differing views. I believe that it is through compromise that we find the best of both ideologies. I think back John McCain and all he did for this country, when serving in the military and when serving in the Senate. What happened to the good old days? And why kind of world are we leaving to future generations?
It certainly feels as if some chaos agent has kicked the living hell out of common sense, but am not yet fully convinced they will win. I’m willing to hope and act as if we can get through this. We will.
I am one of your biggest supporters and your firm but kind presentation of facts makes me cautious but motivates me. I would like your writings on the front page of every paper. Today my hope is , “ I want women to step forward and be vocal and hold their own in fighting this battle”. That would be a mass of people that have never been counted on to be the change agent. For those of you who say women are doing just that. I say in history we have been noted but not respected. Just look at how many people who say , “the US is not ready for a “Woman President”. I’m just putting it out there that one part of this country that sits back and is lead around is the Female Population. I’m putting my energy into groups like Planned Parenthood and Moms Demand Action and Resistance Live . I want the female population which is about half the world to think about how just in numbers if you get those that are silent to stand up and take action it is the force to be reckoned with. They just need leadership like you to help us along. It is not as easy as I make it sound and probably not exactly as I have stated it but, we all need to not be afraid to have conversations about truth and facts and make sure women are at the table.
When a chaos agent like Trump is released into politics - we get the USA as it is today. Divided, violent, willfully ignorant, unable to discern fact from fiction. In the true form of life imitating art, I have to chuckle (or grimace) when I think that the adversary in the 1960's Cold War spy show "Get Smart" was called "Chaos." However they had easily identifiable villains who were never Americans, always the other guy with the silly accent. How true is the old adage "we have seen the enemy, and it is us."
The GOP has become a party of nihilists. They stand for nothing - to them what's up is down, what's down is up. All they want is power. And once they get it, their sole goal is to do anything to keep it. Not to govern.
I agree, do they really want to live like the Russian people. I know I sure don’t. What is power when it means you do not value another person’s right to live...let alone right to own a gun. None of this makes sense to me at all. But then, I suppose I am old enough now that it won’t affect me for much longer... it will my family and grandchildren(I shudder to think about it) I say prosecute immediately it is out of control.
The realistic part is that the predators are always with us. That is always the problem that civil societies must face.
For a brief period from the late 1930s to about Reagan's term, the USA achieved a remarkable political economy with the New Deal.
Rather than a complex set of political policies, the government simply (1) returned much of the country's income to the people's use and (2) heavily regulated business operations (which are all under government license and protection, anyway).
For all its social failings, which led to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, The New Deal was an undeniable economic and political success. It was a nascent breathing space in the typical behavior of the European diaspora, which was unleashed under the terms of the Papal Bull of 1493. This essentially granted European men free rein to conquer and despoil as much of the non-Christian world as they saw fit. And they did.
With the growth of communication technologies (think radio and TV for starters), the "Deregulators" successfully rolled back constraints on their predatory behavior, and we find ourselves beset on all sides by the oldest of gambits -- Divide and Conquer.
Apparently, most folks are as confused by this gambit as the predators seek to make them.
For but one example, the arms dealers sell to all sides, and the more widespread the conflict, the more money they make selling their wares. Thus, the US has become the most heavily armed citizenry in the history of the world. And what has this availed us?
Chilling. Spot on analysis
If we were educating our people, the answer on a test would not be the content of the Constitution and Bill of Rights (though knowing that content is imperative to answer)... the question would be, How does this clause affect your daily life? Could you rewrite the clause so it better reflects what you want?
Sigh, ugh, oy vey is mir...that’s all I can say
It’s beyond insulting to me, as a citizen of this country, to listen to the cowardly leadership that continues to validate all things “Tr—-“. It is disturbing, indeed, that members of Congress
(I understand now are referred to as Putin-Republicans) are accomplices to the behavior of our current “criminal defendant”(2). Is accountability on the horizon? Will Justice be recognized?
I like to imagine most people (outside of politics) will know it when they see it.
And, SEE it they DEMAND. No more rhetoric. No more “promises”. Certainly no more talk of acquittals. Is guilt by association even a consideration? I wonder.
I recall having felt respect for anyone, ANYONE, who had the courage to speak candidly and honestly about the unacceptable behavior of “Phlegm”(I refer to him). Mitt Romney(3/5) being one of them. Liz Cheney also comes to mind. I was hoping others would be more supportive of Romney. Not to be.
“Job security” (1), and willing to do whatever it takes to maintain it was/is paramount it seems. It is sad to hear of Romney’s plight. But, who can blame him? Death threats to him and his family. Extra security details needed at quite an expense. Just what ought a person tolerate?
Like common sense, seems one’s conscience is being tested.
As always, I am hopeful we will be enlightened. I’m certainly encouraged by reading your posts Steven. Thank You.
Romney committed the GOP sin of publicly stating the truth. That was awkward for them. He had the good fortune of not facing re-election soon after the impeachment votes. Not that it would have changed his vote, but it gave voters a chance to change their minds. He is leaving with an approval rate that increased from 40% in May to 56% in August. 54% of Utah voters said they would vote for him again.
Despite that, there is no sign he would be allowed to serve effectively in the Senate. The Tommy Poopervilles are gaining traction. Those who cross them are relegated to the sidelines. A shameful thing that happens all too often in our society when thoughtful people cannot be made to conform.
Sobering! While we must be clearly watchful and proactive of the Republican push towards authoritarianism, we must work harder on finding common ground with those conservatives willing to communicate with us. Mimicking those like MTG and Matt Gates with words that attack does not help our cause.
Clearly showing the danger to our freedoms that a trump style government will produce is the best way to sell undecided voters.
I think the most scary observations are (1) that Putin and Trump are so aligned and that Putin is, in effect, interfering in our democracy and (2) that almost half of young people around the world lean toward autocracy and strong man rule. When did the rules change about leaders of other countries interfering in other country's elections? When did democracy lose its value? And why? And how? The sad observations are those about Romney. Though I am not on the GOP side of the aisle, I believe in the 2-party system, and appreciate and value a good discussion of differing views. I believe that it is through compromise that we find the best of both ideologies. I think back John McCain and all he did for this country, when serving in the military and when serving in the Senate. What happened to the good old days? And why kind of world are we leaving to future generations?