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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

“So hugging the American flag makes one a rube???

And you are saying that there isn't one Democrat out there who is not a rube??

Then why is our Country/world been turned into a world of shit the last few years???”

For the record, that’s the statement I was referring to with my comment. I’m sympathetic though if that’s truly his view of this country. Must be awful.

I have mixed feelings about his being booted. I have engaged in the same behavior on rightwing sites. IMO, not to the same extent, but as a troll, and was treated with a lot less deference than he was treated here, tho.

I don’t know if he’ll receive this, but Dennis might try that as an experiment going on a rightwing site and espousing a left leaning set of opinions. See what the reaction is.

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Feb 15, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Yes, your mind is so open and you’re so not rightwing that you see everyone here as far left. Got it!

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Feb 15, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

That’s an interesting take from the side of the political spectrum that brags about drinking liberal tears and FJB on their homes and vehicles. You must be one of the new age, sensitive MAGA folks.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Also, thanks for recognizing everyone here isn’t far left because I was going to as for some specific policies being promoted that are far left.

I listen to and read Bulwark everyday. I’m a fan of Rick Wilson, Tom Nichols, Peter Wehner, David Frum in addition to the folks at Bulwark. None of them are far left. They’re all conservative. Liz and Adam are conservative. But they’re now tarred as RINOs because the GOP is a cult of Trump now.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Brenda Phillips's avatar

We cannot afford to fail in our support of democracy. Read the first part of Ken’s post again.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Brenda Phillips's avatar

Then perhaps the GOP controlled House should have voted on the bipartisan border bill which addressed these issue.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

You changed the subject again without addressing any of my questions. More trolling. Not acceptable. That is strike two.

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Feb 16, 2024
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Bob's avatar

@Anonymous: If you're going to make a contrary argument, at least base it on facts. Your comment is based on a falsehood. It's clear to anyone reading this blog that commenters who "disagree" are able to routinely post comments here and are not "banned." For proof, look no further than your comments. Have you been banned?

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Have you ever been to Champlain. It is wilderness. Securing a border like that will never be 100 percent possible.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

Stefanik’s direct quote was: “I would not have done what Mike Pence did. I don’t think that was the right approach.” I don’t think it is much of a leap there to interpret that to mean she “would not” have certified the election results because that is what Pence. What other possible meaning could she have by saying she would not have done what Pence did. You either certify or you do not certify, right?

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

There is no other way to read that statement. She would either do it or not do it. What is the middle ground? Not show up?

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Brenda Phillips's avatar

Don’t be ridiculous. She said she would not do what Pence did. No other interpretation required.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

I would be interested to see any links to news stories you might have on that. The federal election commissioner said this was the safest election ever.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Feb 14, 2024Edited
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Rene Rountree's avatar

Dennis, I do not know if you have ever worked an election. There are stop gaps in place to insure that a voter can only vote once. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/show/exhaustive-fact-check-finds-little-evidence-of-voter-fraud-but-2020s-big-lie-lives-on

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Excuse me, I misspoke. “Most secure.”

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

Here is the classic example: Give examples. Give facts. Show the evidence. If you can’t then you are just trolling and that is not acceptable on this site.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

You’re just spreading nonsense.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Still waiting for the evidence on the stuff of ballots.

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Feb 14, 2024
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W Tucker's avatar

Reader the link you supplied when I search for it leads to Adobe Acrobat

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Feb 14, 2024
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W Tucker's avatar

What’s in a name when all else remains the same? Dennis you may wish to rethink your new handle to something other the reader, interested ok, reader somehow just doesn’t fit.

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Brenda Phillips's avatar

Mail in ballots are essential for citizens exercising their constitutional rights. For two elections cycles we were out of the state and used mail in ballots. Working currently as a poll worker I can witness the security and the validity of all ballots. You have nothing.

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June Woodard's avatar

Absolutely agree with you! Trump doesn't seem to have a problem announcing what he is going to do if he is re-elected. I have no doubt he will hand this country over to Putin. I also think he doesn't realize that Putin will get rid of him once he has control. It's no secret that these dictators realize what an idiot he is and will use that for their benefit. One good thing is that over the last 3 years, I have seen many Republicans say they won't vote for him again. That's encouraging. They will add to the 7 million people who didn't vote for him the last time.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Right, Dennis. He’s only going to stand aside while Putin finishes taking over Ukraine and then probably Poland which he brought up quite a few time in his sit down with Moscow Tucker. The GOP is no longer the party of Reagan and Eisenhower. It’s a party of Chamberlains.

Also, is Trump such an idiot that he doesn’t understand how NATO works or is he just lying?

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Feb 14, 2024Edited
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Biden has not stood aside on Ukraine. Obama put sanctions on for Crimea. Trump lifted them. Don’t be ridiculous.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Have a nice day. I can see you’re making it very productive.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

How do you figure that? I have never heard anyone say that.

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June Woodard's avatar

You are completely clueless. Very, very sad.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

How do you figure Biden standing aside? There I has been no evidence that I have seen of this. And the funding that Congress has given has been a show of support as well. Right now, it is the Republicans in the House who are holding up Ukraine money, right?

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Feb 14, 2024
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Bob Stromberg's avatar

Can you cite any sources?

You want us to do your research for you?

It's up to YOU to prove that what you say makes sense.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Of course the question then becomes can we afford an eventual war in Europe in which American lives are at stake?

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June Woodard's avatar

Exactly Ken. This 'interested reader's lives in some other world, not reality, that's evident.

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June Woodard's avatar

That's got to be itchy with all that sand in your ears. Biden is the one fighting against Putin, trump is the one kissing Putin's behind.

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June Woodard's avatar

That's as real as it gets. If you want to bury your head in the sand and live in the land of denial...........go for it.

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Richie Bittner's avatar

Oh let her run with tRump, anything to get rid of her influence on the body politic. Nobody in tRump world last more than a year or two, and then t's under the bus, so if that is what it takes to get her out of the 21st, so be it. But she is the type that would be on both ballots (house & VP) if she can. From what I heard in the Supreme Court case, tRunp will be on the ballot, so let our dear Elise go on and lose with him.

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Jill Grunewald's avatar

Congratulations on your play! America needs to see it. I can’t wait. We need more folks processing immigrants faster so the non criminals come who want to work, pay taxes, and contribute to our America, just as our grandparents did! Anyone who refuses to respect our constitution and democracy should not be in our government, let alone VP or President. Elise will not be chosen. “She’s not his type.”

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Barbara Sealy's avatar

He wants "arm candy" or someone of a different race insinuating he isn't racist. I'd be shocked if he chose Elise.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Barbara Sealy's avatar

Not at all.She has worked on maternal health, electric vehicles (especially school buses because of the fumes impacts on children), cleaning up lead pipes and environmental issues, the space council (STEM, national security, international norms), worked to have the first Black woman confirmed by the Supreme Court, worked with Biden on building the economy to be one of strongest in the world, 14 1/2 million new jobs, increased wages for middle class. There is more but I know you don't really want to hear it and I won't waste my time.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Beth Ann Fitzgerald's avatar

Nobody "promotes" abortion lol.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

He’s really disgusting. He’s what Trump and Stefanik deserve.

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June Woodard's avatar

Very obvious you listen to only conservative conspiracy theory stations. Try listening to REAL news stations you might find out what is REALLY going on in the world.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Again, how do you become a failure as VP since there are really no responsibilities except to break ties in the Senate and have a heart beat? Honestly, what has she failed to do. Perhaps you could compare her term as VP with what Pence did in his term.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Beth Ann Fitzgerald's avatar

You're here aren't you? Is anyone stopping you from writing your thoughts?

The majority of people just don't agree with you.

Maybe you should read our dissenting opinions ... it may open your eyes.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Opinions are fine. But you can’t make up facts. That is the rub.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

I notice you don’t have a name.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Well, as you know the Biden administration has asked for more resources from Congress and the Senate passed that bill but the House has not. The vice president cannot approve spending. I’m sure you know that. Only Congress can do that and they refused to act. You can’t just cast blame on Democrats as some evil people without addressing a House of Rep that GOP controls.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Barb, I’ve always felt the same way. Trump wants a model on his arm as VP.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Thanks for LOLing for me. I’d really need some certification that Trump cared about the qualifications of his veep. The only qualification is that they be more loyal than Mike Pence who chose the Constitution over Trump. Stefanik has publicly said she would choose Trump. We’ll see if that’s enough.

If Trump needed to be replaced by the veep because he died or was incapacitated he wouldn’t care a whit about how competent the replacement was. He’s a pure narcissist who cares about nothing but himself.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

“But but but he hugs the flag. He must love America!” 🤣

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Brenda Phillips's avatar

Candace?

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Beatriz Roman's avatar

Wow! Thank you for informing us on international news. Many of us, including myself, are mostly ignorant of world events, unless we read the New York Times and tune in to pbs world news on a regular basis. I agree that autocracy, anarchy, free criminal reign, is what D.T. and his followers aim for, and this country is on the brink of disaster politically, economically and morally should this element prevail. My hope is that decent citizens and our courts do the right thing.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

Examples of archly, criminality and auto crazy under Obama. You change the subject every time someone makes a point.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Beth Ann Fitzgerald's avatar

Because they are not valid talking points.

This column is about truth.

Obama has not been a three term president.

More conspiracy lies.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Not true. You can’t just throw out facts that are untrue. I’ve asked for facts over and over again and without any response because Interested Reader just changes the subject. He doesn’t want to debate an issue or make viable points. Sadly, he is just trolling.

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Beatriz Roman's avatar

Three terms? I guess you didn't like what I wrote about decent citizens and the courts doing the right thing. So sorry you are caught up in the darkness.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Beth Ann Fitzgerald's avatar

There is no righteousness in your words Dennis lol

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Ken Tingley's avatar

PBS Newshour is my choice for the evening news and you are right they did a great job of covering international stories we don’t often hear about.

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Judith Tully's avatar

Sedition Stefanik was never concerned with her constituents. Self interest was always her main concern. Her moderate facade was a ruse. She would only vote against Republican bills when she was given permission to do so. Now she is auditioning for the audience on one. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand her objective. Miss Harvard knows better but has sold her soul to achieve her goal.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

That seems to be about right.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

It’s sacrilege that she graduated from the same college as John Adams.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Because John Adams risked his life for this country and was one of the greatest Americans ever and Stefanik is a quisling. Thanks for asking.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

We’re done for today. I have a life. 👋

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Feb 14, 2024
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Betsy Comeau's avatar

Agree!

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Joan's avatar

I wonder how many of Stefanik’s constituents are aware of how far she’s willing to go to win the favor of that treasonous con man? As she begs to be picked as his running mate, demonstrating the shameless loyalty and servility he demands, she alienates more and more of those whose votes put her in office — at least those who are paying attention.

It’s the ones who are NOT paying attention that I’m worried about!

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

Well, this is a great opportunity to engage with Stefanik supporter. I have expressed regularly why I would never vote for her. So I’m interested to know why you would vote for her in hopes we might be able to learn something from each other.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

How has she represented the 21st District well?

What are the policy differences between her predecessor Bill Owens and her?

Finally, she doesn’t lie “all” the time, but a significant portion of the things she says are not true. There are multiple fact checks. When she refused to commit to not lying during her 2018 campaign, that spoke volumes.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

Bill Owens and most moderate democrats have about the same stands on the border, small businesses, farming community, Fort Drum, affordable child care, rural health care, school funding and most of the policies of downstate Democrats. The beliefs are not that different. The difference that I see is that Stefanik tells lies consistently that are easily checked where previous members of Congress like Chris Gibson and Bill Owens did not.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

“Well, this is a great opportunity to engage with Stefanik supporter.”

Hardly.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

We will see. It’s Valentine’s Day and my heart is filled with love.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Ash Wednesday too. Maybe we’ll see some repenting.

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Beth Ann Fitzgerald's avatar

Nah, they only believe in God when it's convenient.

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mike parwana's avatar

The greater concern are the ones who are paying attention and agree with her.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

No, they’re cultists.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

And those ideals are what?

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Or the ones who endorse her actions in the name of politics.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

What does Elise Stefanik stand for in your view?

What are her policies that are helping her district or your own life personally?

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Feb 14, 2024
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Brenda Phillips's avatar

She voted against measures to support our local healthcare needs and supported Tuberville’s attack on our military readiness. Where have you been? She does not help in the women’s healthcare realm and climate change is draconian. Not facing that fact is burying your head. Do you not have children or grandchildren? And our grandchildren get chocolate milk on special occasions, not everyday in school. It is loaded with sugar and their health matters. Any other of her “policies” that you like? Perhaps you liked her support for George Santos or her joining forces with Matt Gaetz. Up your alley?

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Brenda Phillips's avatar

He was talking about you.

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bernice mennis's avatar

thank you again, Ken...I want very much to see the film. But not just Uganda--our complicity in getting rid of people --good people elected by those in their country, promising reform of corruption-who pose a threat to our corporations abroad: Mossadegh in Iran, Aristade in Haiti, Lumumba,, Allende in Chile ...actions of our CIA, complicity of Kissinger. in Guatemala and Central Amarica.....a long list....Ii think of the Supreme Court voting to stop the count in Florida, giving Bush the presidency rather than Gore. Now in Pakistan....Those in power wanting to stay in power. And here Trump's election denial--and what he would do if he won, if he lost....The power of power....I think of all the "whistleblowers in prison for revealing corruption and crime, they arrested for speaking truth. And how important to protect those who speak the truth, the need to protect and preserve democracy here and everywhere. And it could happen here...

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Pelosi, McConnell and Waters stayed in office by winning elections. Hillary Clinton lost an election and conceded the following day.

Trump lost an election and tried to steal it because he’s a raging narcissist and spoiled rich kid who’s never been said no to. He’s still whining about it over 3 years later.

Does he really believe he won or is it just the usual grift?

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Feb 14, 2024
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Feb 14, 2024
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Ken Tingley's avatar

Perhaps Stefanik should step aside. She said she would only stay five terms. This is her fifth term. Will you call for her to step aside since she is your congresswoman.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

“Many people believe he won, including me.”

Many children believe in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy, too. But, then they grow up. Try it!

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Ken Tingley's avatar

You believe he won despite the fact that Trump’s own federal election commissioner says it was the safest election in history. You are not providing a lot of facts here. Just conspiracy theories.

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mike parwana's avatar

People who have a belief system based on their personal feelings are a threat to our system of government, what Lincoln called government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Lincoln also observed that “you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time” and that is how democracy fails, when people who have been fooled refuse to accept they’ve been had by a con man/grifter.

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Feb 14, 2024
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mike parwana's avatar

Your response is nonsensical, but reinforces the correctness of my comment. Obama won decisively and there is no logic to your description of him as a con man. You are simply being a troll.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

Why keep bringing Obama up. He is out of office. He has no impact on current state of the country.

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

We’re probably fortunate that Trump has no actual principles beyond worshipping money. I look forward to seeing what the Republican Party looks like after the hamburgers and KFC do their job.

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Feb 14, 2024
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Kevin Robbins's avatar

I’m talking about Trump’s diet. Work on your reading comprehension.

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mike parwana's avatar

The great failure of American foreign policy post WW2 has been the divergence of the ideals we speak and actual policies and actions we take. Our leaders often had not the courage of their public convictions instead promoting policies, often in secret, that have had disastrous long term consequences. Each of the examples you cite, some more than others, have been disastrous for the people of the countries involved, for the interests of the US, and for resolving conflict in the world. Nearly 70 years since the overthrow of Moseddegh our failure to resolve conflict we started in Iran is in large measure enflaming conflicts across the Middle East is probably the worst case, but Pakistan is not far behind. On the humanitarian side Haiti has suffered generations as essentially a failed state, and Guatemala is the source of many refugees at our southern border.

But there will be plenty of Republicans who will argue with me to their last breath that I’m wrong, that we did the right thing in each case.

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Bob Dillon's avatar

Totally agree, I have called her a traitor since she voted against the results of the Electoral College. She failed to honor her oath of office and to uphold the Constitution. It wasn't her right to vote against what the Electoral College results were! Go back and look at the REP House members speeches after January 6th (and McConnell and Graham) and then the back tracking after McCarthy went to Mar A Lago to kiss the ring. Her performance in the January 6th hearing was disgraceful and when Liz Cheney got pushed out she took that title and went to MAGA Extremist status. Let's hope Trump gets tried and convicted. Personally I hope her karma comes back a million times over in the very near future!

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Mary Horning's avatar

Great writing! Keep up the good work!

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Kevin Robbins's avatar

Appreciate the piece on Bobi Wine and Uganda. Sounds like a great documentary. I’m open to cautionary tales, but I’m optimistic that our Constitution and system of courts and justice is stronger than Uganda’s.

Donald Trump has lost pretty badly just in civil courts. The two lawyers that E. Jean Carroll had were very good lawyers. They took $88 million from him. Should add that Trump does not have uniformly good lawyers. That’s the price of not paying them, not listening to them and just the pure reputational damage from representing him. DOJ has many, many more than two good lawyers. I’m guessing the Supreme Court is not going to say presidents can do whatever they want.

I appreciate Jacob’s opinion piece that Elise Stefanik should be disqualified. It’s no more going to happen than Trump being disqualified, though. If Stefanik cared about the party and her reputation she’d be endorsing Nikki Haley. She’s as morally bereft as Trump is.

Most of the Congressional Republicans don’t care about their party or their country. The ones who still have any principles are leaving. Mike Gallagher announced his retirement from Congress this week. I believe he’s 39. The party is left with clowns. MTG is slated to be an impeachment manager for the Senate trial of Mayorkas.

Is it any wonder Tom Suozzi won so handily last night. Trump’s daughter in law and an election denier are taking over RNC. All normal. 🙄

There’s one sane party: the Democratic. I wish there was a sane alternative.

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Ken Tingley's avatar

I hope you’re right. I supposed I was seeing the future if Trump were to be re-elected.

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