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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBeyond Good and Evil
Madness is something rare in individuals but in groups, parties, peoples, and ages, it is the rule.
― Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil
I am not comfortable in agreeing with Joe Scarborough as a rule. Thus, when he said that he agreed with Mark Meadows' text that the effort to overturn the 2000 presidential election was "good versus evil," but that Meadows was on the wrong team, I was stunned. Was it possible I agreed -- kind of -- with Mourning Joe and Mark Meadows? Or was I actually experiencing the dreaded LSD-25 flashback that teachers warned us about in the 1960s? Was I confronted by Jimi's haunting question, "Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?"
As if that was not horrible enough, I then heard that Virginia "Ginni" Thomas had urged Meadows to make Sidney Powell "the face" of the effort to steal the election. I was aghast! More, Thomas almost climaxed when Rudy delivered his oil-stained address. Great googla-moogla! Powell and Giuliani! Still, it is Donald Trumps pre-carcass mug that is the actual face of the insurrection. I was not slipping into a Nietzsche-like madness. It was today, at least so far.
The past few days have provided evidence that the attack upon democracy and reality continues. Watching the Senate hearings with Ketanji Brown Jackson made that clear. It's not, of course, as if a old white male nominee by President Biden wouldn't have faced attacks by republicans. But this is worse. My cousin questioned why a core group of republicans was focused on child pornography? I said that Ted Cruz may have conflicted reasons for doing so, but the others were sending a loud dog whistle to those who believe the Q-anon stories about Democrats running a child sex ring. I was pleased to see an old forum friend saying much the same on facebook.
Speaking of the decomposing ex-president, add his "genius" Putin comment to the mix. There's little doubt that Putin, like Trump, is a very stable genius who knows more than his generals. His invasion of Ukraine indicates that, at least in Trump's mind. But make no mistake: many in the Trump cult admire Putin. They just aren't quite stupid enough to say it publicly. Instead, they attack a lady who they know frightens the grass ruts of the Trump cult -- Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Imagine if you will the thought processes of one who respects Sidney Powell and admires Virginia Thomas. This is the type that views Marjorie Taylor Greene and the para-Sarah Palin, Lauren Bobbitt, as representing all they love about America. And this type demands that their Representatives and Senators compete with the Odd Squad in saying and doing things to stir that pot of madness that Nietzsche spoke of. The type that just ain't comfortable with the thought of a highly educated, capable black woman being in a position of power. So facts be damned, those republican Senators did their best to smear her with innuendo to connect her to the sex trade of children that Q-anoners subscribe to. And that is dangerous.
The madness being unleased upon Ukraine had many good people questioning how it could happen in Europe in 2022. I suspect that this includes people who wondered how January 6 could happen in the United States in 2021. We have an advantage over the people from Ukraine who are suffering. We still have elections, the January 6 Committee, and the rule of law -- imperfect as it times seems to be. But we have to recognize the importance of working between now and November to promote Democratic Party victories. We need to support those working at various levels to keep the barbarians in check.
sanatanadharma
(3,621 posts)"Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?"
Neither, it is the return of time past.
Yesterday never ends due to two too many nay-sayers.
H2O Man
(73,224 posts)I think it is always "now" -- always has been, always will be -- and now is the time for us to put forth our best efforts.
pandr32
(11,419 posts)NBachers
(16,964 posts)they make a coherently sane pontification. But I'm drawing the line at the few rational statements made by Rep. Joe (You LIe!) Wilson (R-S.C.) Never will he get a nod from me.
In the spirit of working between now and November to promote Democratic Party victories, I'll make a donation to the candidate of your choice running against the odious Elise Stefanik. There are four declared Democratic candidates so far, and I don't know if any of them have a chance, but I'm making donations all over, so this one will help nudge the needle a bit. Or, we can just wait and see who wins the Primary on June 28th
Matt Castelli
Matthew Putorti
Keith Sherrill
Ezra Watson
https://ballotpedia.org/New_York%27s_21st_Congressional_District_election,_2022
I grew up in an Irish-American Catholic home, until my brothers & I started skipping mass in our teens. However, when I saw George Will and thought he was making sense, I briefly wondered if I needed to return to go to confession. But when I heard David Brooks say something I agreed with, I knew the world had changed.
Stefanik has transformed into an even more repulsive example of a failed human being than one might have expected from someone representing her "family." It would seem that anyone connected with supplying the construction industry, for example, would be anti-Trump. But I suppose her people aren't fond of the union workers that Trump has screwed over the decades. Still, her bowing to the alter of the Trump cult is extremely troubling. I assume she's been skipping confession.
I try to not be inolved in primaries among Democrats, except in rare cases such as AOC in 2018. In this one, while I admire Sherrill and Watson for throwing their hats into the ring -- and think they are good men with solid values -- I do not think either can win. Of course, I could be wrong, as I often am. I'm not familiar with Putorti's campaign structure, but anticipate he will place second in the primary. Castelli would appear the likely winner, and to have the best chance to upset Stefanik come November.
uponit7771
(90,193 posts)... Putrid assisted 2020 candidate lost, 3. are creating laws against access to voting that is LITERALLY taking down America's freedom index.
Facts not in dispute, 3 strikes GZP is out
The GZP has more than crossed the red line in to the doing REALLY wrong and evil shit.
GOTv is minimum for 2022, I pray we can get eyes open to these facts
H2O Man
(73,224 posts)We must have a well-coordinated effort involving everyone from the grass roots to the White House. Our democracy depends upon that.
In the past six weeks, when I've contacted old associates to request their participation, I've had two general responses that I find troubling. The first and most common is that it is "too early" (or "too cold" right now. The second is, "I respect that you are still doing this for so many decades, but I've burned out." One young lady who was very active in Black Lives Matter in 2019 to 2021 said she was discouraged, as she thought those years would have brought about "real change."
I can appreciate that people are tired, and even discouraged by a lot of current events. Or that young folks might expect changes to take place in a short time. Heck, I'm tired, and dealing with Lyme disease for the 4th time. But I remind them that in both 2018 and 2020, we won a lot of important elections ...... we would not have, for example, the January 6 Committee if not for those elections.
I tell them that I know how important the work done "too early" becomes when it becomes the "right time." That we are not out of the woods by any means, when it comes to the Trump cult. That the increase in hate crimes against groups such as Asian-Americans, Jews, and Native Americans is part of a growing, very dangerous threat. That the vile hatred of a black female USSC nominee isn't a coincidence. That efforts to keep citizens from voting are real.
By mid-summer, I think more people at the grass roots level will recognize which way the wind blows, and become active.
uponit7771
(90,193 posts)... disappointed in Biden and its been mostly because of what Joe Manchin has done which is REALLY fucked up.
They have enough awareness to follow what's happen on police reform and voting front but not granular detail of how Manchin's unwillingness to see the GZP threat to changing the filibuster.
Looking at polling the low poll numbers for Biden currently aren't from GZP voters its dem mostly and the middle.
I'm thinking Biden comes out with a EO about policing and voting and let the GZP sue him ... fine ...but MINIMUM it will show who's opposition to what his agenda is.
Right now it's "Biden hasn't gotten anything done" on those fronts vs GZP standing in his way.
By mid-summer, I think more people at the grass roots level will recognize which way the wind blows, and become active.
Yep, this summer will be a tell tale
H2O Man
(73,224 posts)this with her. I think part of it was that she anticipated more community support. The rallies she helped organize drew large groups of Trumpites, and she expressed disappointment that more good people were not attending. I think that this relates pretty directly with the lack of action on these issues at the federal level. (Manchin is often named when I disagree with others who say that "there is no difference between the parties."
But most of all, I think that the many threats directed at her -- and I witnessed some -- intimidated her. She frequently brought her little daughter with her, and while no decent person would snarl at a young mother & child, there are lots of racist shitheads in upstate New York who have. And there have been physical assaults at a couple of these local BLM rallies. So I understand in that sense when she is disappointed. Still, I communicate with her, and express confidence that she will soon get back to business.
dalton99a
(80,897 posts)One must not let this sink to the bottom of the Internet
H2O Man
(73,224 posts)I appreciate that.
panader0
(25,816 posts)"There are two different kinds of people in the world. Those who want to know, and
those who want to believe."
H2O Man
(73,224 posts)Thank you!