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“A society becomes totalitarian when its structure becomes flagrantly artificial. That is when its ruling class has lost its function but succeeds in clinging to power by force or fraud.” - George Orwell

And here we are.

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author

Great quote from Mr. Orwell.

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Sadly, he remains all too relevant.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Our condo community in Chestertown (Green Mansions), was hammered by the tornado and sustained several million dollars worth of damage, never saw so many downed trees. Multiple insurance adjusters were out there; they had to kick it up to some kind of catastrophic loss adjuster. Our house was fine but without power for a while.. The road crews did a fabulous job clearing the roads in just a few days (I thought it would be weeks) and we got power back in three days (and Spectrum a couple of days after). My only beef is that I had to toss a freezer full of meat out because my power outage was just a couple hours short of the 72 hours minimum National Grid was requiring for reimbursement. Also really annoyed that Elise Stefanik was completely missing in action; she pulled a Ted Cruz and left town but had time to post regular political statements about everything but our natural disaster. This is not me being partisan, this is me thinking the one thing local politicians have to be around for are disasters- even if they are not particularly helpful, they could at least give out ice or something. Anyway, the rebuilding is still ongoing chez moi, but it definitely moved quickly.

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author

Well, she was running for vice president and I'm sure that was more important to her.

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In an earlier post, you had pondered reaching out to Stefanik on the low social security death benefit, our Congressperson being theoretically a better option than our Senators. Honestly, of the three, Gillibrand is the one where you'll have the best luck. It was through her feed that I learned about resources available after the tornado. And she often posts about constituent services her office provides.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

thank you for highlighting acts of conscience which strengthen by inspiration resolve to work to prevent another Trump presidency. Speaking of important documentaries besides the new Maddow "From Russia with Lev", the investigative reporter Greg Palast's movie about Georgia voter suppression and intimidation "Vigilantes" is important in addition to his recent interviews with Thom Harmann on this situation.

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author

There are two other individuals in Georgia that went out on a limb too - Gabriel Sterling and Brad Raffensburger. Maybe there should be three new faces on Mt. Rushmore.

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Absolutely!

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

There should be a town ordinance on political signage requiring the removal of all political signs within a certain time period. I've seen this sign far too long, but it is also a statement about the kind of people that do this. I believe Hillary Clinton referred to them as "the deplorable" however I have my own choice of words that is less polite. We can thank Trump for bringing out the "worst of the worst" kind of people. I can't wait for these elections to be over and for Trump to lose and go away. He stated in an interview yesterday he will not run again in 2028. Harris is highly qualified for the job, has youth, energy and a legally trained background and extensive government experience. Democracy is on the line, vote row A all the way!

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author

I think a lot of people said the same thing about 2020. I don't think he goes away. I think he runs again - or at least tries - in 2028.

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I hit like - NOT because I like the idea! Why in the world would anyone believe ANYTHING that comes out of his mouth? And why would we care if he does or not! Its a non-issue. Just like he is.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

I say that after losing in November, Trump will spend several years in the courts before eventually going to jail. Let's remember he is running to avoid his legal woes. Trump doesn't care about anyone but himself.

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I sure do like the idea of jail for him - and I hope it happens. The main thing for all of us is that he LOSES and loses big, AND that these election-deniers finally get their comeupance! (something my grandmother used to say).

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author

Best case scenario.

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Trump isn’t going to live forever. His father was diagnosed with dementia at 85 and was showing signs of it before then.

Setting aside the armchair psychiatry that maybe he’s showing signs now it’ll be interesting if he does get elected to see what it takes for Republicans to invoke Article 25. The real MAGA Faithful would literally be up in arms.

We’ve got 6 weeks and a day until the only poll that matters. Seems like VP Harris is on a steady rise. 🤞

Otherwise, it’s great to live in interesting times. Maybe Rusty Bowers wouldn’t second that. I remember his testimony from the J6 Committee. I believe he’s another, one of many, Republican that has said he’d vote for Trump again. That’s more forgiveness than I could muster.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

That was my only disappointment during those hearings. I wondered if he said that to protect his family or his job. No matter- it was upsetting.

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Wow! wonderful summary of a great man's political life.

s

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Thank you for reminding me of Rus

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I remember watching and hearing him testify to the January 6th committee. Now THERE is an actual patriot!

Doesnt it seem as tho there should be some kind of illegality when bullies - well, call them what they are - terrorists! What was done to Rusty - what was done to the two election workers in Georgia and I'm sure, to many others, who stood up for the right thing. Frankly, thats how I picture terrorism. It doesnt matter what political party - its wrong. Why is it not illegal? There should be consequences.

I know I'm speaking to the choir here, but it is so frustrating to see tffg get away with delay, deny, etc and for there to be no seeming attempt to punish his cult followers.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

I always thought there were laws agains threats and harassment. Silly me I guess.

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It appears to only apply to "certain" individuals, I guess?

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Try again. Thanks for reminding me of Rusty Bowers. People who demonstrate such courage and toughness certainly deserve accolades. I put Brad Raffensberger and Liz Cheney in the same category as Bowers. I wonder how many others ther may have been?

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Thanks for reminding us of a wonderful “profile in courage.” I first read JFK/Sorenson’s book ~ 68 years ago, when I was twenty years old and a sophomore in college. Had a profound effect on me. Am tempted to write a contemporary sequel from the opposite perspective. It will be entitled, “Profiles in Timidity” featuring…you name them.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Thank you , Ken, for your powerful defense of our Constitutional democracy. The faded sign is for the many still extant MAGA's who continue to believe, incredibly, that Donald Trump will improve their lives. In my neighborhood we have signs recommending:

1. God, Guns, and Trump

2. F --- Biden (finally removed; was feet from an elementary school)

3. ELISE! Vote Republican, Save America (several feet wide)

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founding

The signs I find most objectionable are the ones that say “f**k your feelings.”

What kind of a message is that to people, especially children? How does that make America great in any way?

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Only if they're YOUR feelings ... MINE are just fine! And not only do mine make America great, but I'm going to heaven and you're not.

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founding
Sep 23·edited Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Unfortunately, because of human induced climate change we are seeing and will be seeing more storm related disasters.

Supervisor Geraghty apparently doesn’t get out much in Warren county since there was a tornado in 2020 that tore a nearly 9 mile path of destruction from southern Lake Luzerne into Glens Falls.

In nearby Saratoga county last summer a tornado hit the Sacandaga. A friend was stuck on South Shore Rd for 18 hours in his car with his dogs with trees and power lines down for miles in front and behind him.

NY has seen a record number of tornados this year and we are likely to see them more regularly in the future.

We are also seeing many more storms dumping inches of rain in short periods of time overwhelming capacity of structures built to handle flooding seen in the past.

And while our winters are getting warmer we are seeing occasional large dumps of snow, but also more ice events.

It would be very helpful if every Republican leader would publicly reject Trump so that we can move forward building resilient communities in anticipation of future disasters rather than constantly wasting time energy resources and effort fighting over Trump’s nonsense.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

You are SO right! Global warming is moving right along, and bringing weather calamities with it. Climate change deniers are like election deniers - delusional and dangerous.

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Sep 23·edited Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

Ken wrote: "The red white and blue colors are faded and during the summer months, the surrounding bushes partially obscure the message "STILL OUR PRESIDENT."

I see these pro-Trump signs as the modern-day equivalent of the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray." In the novel, Dorian Gray sells his soul so that his portrait, and not he, will age and fade away. As his portrait ages, it records every one of his sins.

Today, Trump and his supporters have sold their souls so that Trump’s avarice and corruption live on and on, but his political signs age and fade away. As his signs age, they record his every crime and traitorous act.

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In this case, all of Trump’s sins are being recorded on the Republican Party. Mark Robinson is like the middle of the road candidate now. Stefanik pushed for Carl Paladino, who isn’t far removed from Robinson, for Congress just a few years back. Can’t wait to see the rats all eating each other to become Dear Leader when Trumpy is gone.

Elise seems like she must be the anti-Dorian Gray. Does she have a portrait somewhere that remains that fresh-faced little tourist from Albany that we all remember from a mere decade ago?

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

"Does she have a portrait somewhere that remains that fresh-faced little tourist from Albany that we all remember from a mere decade ago?"

Her official Congressional portrait seems to be from 2017, all well-scrubbed and fresh-faced. I wonder what the portrait in her attic looks like….

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We do owe her thanks for at least a couple of House seats. The Santos one that Tom Suozzi is in and the one in NH that she supported Karoline Leavitt for. A non-MAGA like McCarthy and others were backing might've won that. She did win the primary. Chris Pappas won the general.

Another setback for the political genius like her veep candidacy.

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Yes- on Quaker Rd across from Bensons

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author

Photo shop can do wonderful things.

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I might possibly have posted this before - I dont think it was here.

Every time I hear a comment on the "businessman" djt - I worked for a contractor for almost 30 years, then another 6 years for one of our vendors (subcontractor). You are NOT any kind of "business" person if you dont pay your contractors - if you force them to sue you for payment then drag it out so long they have to concede. djt (small letters) never did a day of actual physical work in his life nor did he dirty his little hands - EVER. It seems to me these people who think hes such a businessman - maybe their only concept of business is someone who wears a suit and sits behind a desk? That aint it, folks.

I think I might need another cup of coffee!

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

He was a businessman on "reality" TV!!!

In real life he had six bankruptcies.

FIRE HIM!

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Sort of showcases the fact that too many people believe the "real" in reality shows. I dont get it. Do they think that the tv cameras that are recording these shows just happen to be there???????

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There’s a book out called Lucky Loser on Trump’s career that’s very good. It’s by Suzanne Craig and Russ Buettner from NYTimes. It begins with Fred’s rise. He was totally crooked, but impressive. Donald was just out for celebrity. He was continually bailed out on bad deals by the old man. What’s really astounding is the banks that kept giving him money.

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Thanks - I'll add that to my list!!

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

It says something that Donald is too extreme even for the Torture/Warmonger Brigade.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

I watched Rusty Bowers testify in the January 6 th hearings. The anguish and abuse his family ( daughter sick with cancer) sustained during that time period was horrendous. I had so much respect for this man then and now. He was a true hero when Republicans had very, very few.

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Sep 23Liked by Ken Tingley

I'm embarrassed to say I don't recall hearing or knowing about Rusty Barrow. Incredible.

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What if it had been a retired or disgruntled General who was a strong Trump supporter who had convened the Stop the Steal gathering and urged them to "fight like hell" in intervening to disrupt the election certification procedures? I dare say he would have been court martialed and suffered high stakes consequences. But wait, this wasn't a general it was the Commander-in-Chief who then bided his time before taking "official" actions to deal with the insurrection. I say hooray for Rep. Bowers!

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