I turn 67 this month and I no longer recognize the country that I grew up in. The blame lies squarely on tribal politics. The majority of which is the wholesale corruption of the Republican Party exacerbated by one Donald Trump. The Republicans of the Reagan era would be throwing the McCarthys and Johnson’s and MTG’s (et al) out in their asses.
It is sickening to me to see the Republicans playing school yard politics with Ukraine. Holding them hostage (just like Trump attempted leading up to his FIRST impeachment) over border funding. They just want a “win” of any sort. They are not really interested in solving the border crises. If they were, they would actually articulate “what” plan they had and how resources would be deployed to achieve that plan.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is losing hundreds of lives every day while we sit here squabbling over petty grievances.
I no longer “wonder” what our founders would think about what our once great country has devolved in to. It would sicken them to their core. We must marshall all of our resources to defeat this march toward MAGA fascism and put this country back on the path to our great heritage.
He did. We pretty much all did. Reagan affected change that eventually led to the collapse of the old Soviet regime. For a time, albeit brief, there was a glimmer of hope for world peace and prosperity.
But alas, the world’s peoples have some sort of perverse need to (continually) consign power over themselves into the hands of a few despicable morons. It must be some ethereal rule of the universe that I have thus far failed to comprehend...
I am completely baffled by how this nation has "raised" the current crop of politicians. Certainly, those on the right who are causing all of this needless chaos. I'm sure they all think that they possess some sort of clever brinksmanship. Far from it. Their collective stupidity is quickly increasing the demise of our Democracy.
Our long-term survival requires that we build on our gains and learn from our mistakes so as not to repeat them again. These past eight years have resulted in an epic Fail.
Chamberlain--"I believe it is peace for our time." Churchill-"You chose dishonor and you will have war." I pray something happens to wake up our sleeping leaders in Congress. The problem is they have to lead. They seem to know nothing about history.
I don’t believe the Republicans are “sleeping”. I also turned 67 this year. I think the Republicans are following a very deliberate strategy from Donald Trump / Vladimir Putin / various international billionaires. How would an enemy attack a much stronger adversary? By weakening that adversary from within first. By having that adversary fight among themselves. Trojan Horse; Gideon’s getting the enemy to fight each other, strategy right out of the Art of War. Mike Johnson said the Republicans wanted to know Ukraine’s strategy to “win” before releasing funds. Why? So Speaker Johnson could go blab it to Trump; who would tell Putin?? This is WAR - Ukraine is fighting the US’s greatest opponent and this Republican apparatchik Mike Johnson is instead diverting holding impeachment bs (without evidence) on the President Biden. Why? Because he welcomed back his prodigal son! Oh the shame! How un-Christian of Joe Biden to do something right out of a parable that Jesus Christ himself told. Where is your evidence you Pharisees??? You serpents in the Congress? You sit and spin your lies while making no moves to prevent a world war.
It is amazing (and saddening) to see how Zelensky continues to fight for his country and the continued support for democracy in all he says and does for his countrymen. We (Americans) who supposedly hold democracy so dear to our hearts (but do we really?) should take lessons from Zelensky’s example. He unashamedly pleads with anyone who will listen for assistance in his country’s fight for their very life. Since the beginning of their conflict, he resisted calls to flee his country and stays to fight another day. He has consistently routed out corruption in his government, making necessary changes that will help in the effort to keep his country free and thereby benefit and bolster the lives of Ukraine. Could we say the same of the majority of our current legislators? I doubt it. There will be some that would answer the call for courage to do the right thing but alas not enough of them have the courage to do what’s right and necessary.
Breaks my heart too. But we can’t lose hope that all is lost. Just as the Ukrainians are fighting, we too are fighting for our country, albeit a fight for truth and the hearts and minds of our countrymen. Thank you for your words and insights. We need to know these things.
These are terrific points. Supporting our allies against our enemies is the only sensible path forward. And thanks for pointing out that American companies benefit from investment in Ukraine’s future.
We are very close to choosing dishonor! And, if we continue to choose dishonor, we will have wider war. Appeasement always begets aggression. Many of the younger Congress people now in office have no idea, not a clue. We have had it very soft for very long, but I believe that is beginning to change and I hope and pray we can find some better decision makers than many we have in Congress now. That includes the extremists on both ends of the spectrum.
And some of the older people in Congress, who should no better, appear to be clueless, but I think all they really care about is being re-elected and maintaining and enhancing their power!
Sadly, the smart ones are leaving or have left already.
It doesn't help when the leading Republican Presidential candidate is an open Putin fanboy and will likely do everything he can to ensure that Russia does defeat Ukraine (and then presumably absorbs that unfortunate country). He'll also pull us out of NATO in order to facilitate that.
Ukraine has a history with Russia/Soviet Union that goes beyond just a "cranky, overbearing neighbor next door". I was pointed at and recently read a book "The Harvest of Sorrow: Soviet Collectivization and the Terror-Famine" written back in 1986. It discussed Soviet activities and control in the 1920's and 1930's. They were purposefully starving out rural areas by confiscating and withholding food in the battle against "enemies of the state". Much of this was directed at Ukraine specifically. Entire villages starved to death. The author's estimate of the total dead, inclusive of those that starved to death where they lived and those that were arrested, deported to camps and died later, is 14.5 million. Of these, 5 million in Ukraine in 1932-33 alone.
They have a good reason to fear Russian control and fight against it.
Adam thank you for all you are doing. I am so depressed about the state of our nation and you are like a bright star shining through a storming night. I finished your book. It was excellent.
Here is a reminder about Donald Trump's Miss Universe pageant, hosted in Moscow in 2013. Everything the man has done since and continues to do now is in service of these fantasies.
One more thought if this message could be sent to the CEO of every company on the Business Roundtable which represents the largest companies in the United States.
I wish I could give you a thousand likes Adam. I'm devastated over our "leaders". They are crushing us, destroying us, destroying our reputation, turning their backs on our allies and our promises. Shameful. I don't know this country anymore.
To show the man Putin is, who the right wing admires so much, Alexei Navalny has gone missing, A man with courage, and I am doubtful he will be seen again. This is Putin. This is who many in our country want to see prevail.
There is an internet piece of garbage going around, I have seen repeated many times that Zelensky is making billions off of what we send Ukraine. First it was one yacht, now it's up for FOUR AND his wife is taking shopping trips to Paris.
I'm just sick to my stomach. There is a picture of Biden, Zelensky, and Mitch standing together and Mitch has that insipid grin of his, as he's selling the free world down the river. I will admit that some of the goings on ARE keeping me awake at night.
One thing positive, and I'm trying to find ANYTHING these days, I watched CNN Heroes last night and this morning and there are some just incredible people in the world working every day to make it better. If anyone here hasn't seen it, I know you can find it and it is so uplifting, and we need to support them and need more of them. Not everyone can do what they do, but we can support what they do to the best of our ability.
I appreciate what YOU are doing Adam, and I DO know there ARE more like you out there and we here can give whatever support we are able, however we are able.
And don’t forget about all the “allies “ of Putin who fell out windows, “jumped” from balconies, some who were poisoned and the Wagner founder who was blown up in his plane. None of these incidents took place without Putin’s approval.
FDR and Churchill had to meet with the murderous farmer Stalin at Malta to get the Russians to fight against Germany in eastern Europe. The Russians went into Poland, Hungary, etc and defeated the Germans but then stayed and were just as evil. Much of the US military brass wanted to continue WWII after Germany and Japan had surrendered. They wanted to attack Russia and run them out of the nations that they had occupied. Truman knew that the American people were tired of war. This was the situation when I was born in 1951.
Trump was buddy buddy with Chairman Kim and especially Putin. Secret meetings with Putin and it is nobody's business what was said, to quote Trump. Today's GOP has plenty of fans in Russia. They should be proud.
I only wish I could give this piece 1,000 “likes”…….and then 1,000 more.
I turn 67 this month and I no longer recognize the country that I grew up in. The blame lies squarely on tribal politics. The majority of which is the wholesale corruption of the Republican Party exacerbated by one Donald Trump. The Republicans of the Reagan era would be throwing the McCarthys and Johnson’s and MTG’s (et al) out in their asses.
It is sickening to me to see the Republicans playing school yard politics with Ukraine. Holding them hostage (just like Trump attempted leading up to his FIRST impeachment) over border funding. They just want a “win” of any sort. They are not really interested in solving the border crises. If they were, they would actually articulate “what” plan they had and how resources would be deployed to achieve that plan.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is losing hundreds of lives every day while we sit here squabbling over petty grievances.
I no longer “wonder” what our founders would think about what our once great country has devolved in to. It would sicken them to their core. We must marshall all of our resources to defeat this march toward MAGA fascism and put this country back on the path to our great heritage.
I also turned 67 this year and totally agree with this. Disgraceful
Reagan was certainly a staunch anti-Communist and saw the existential danger posed by the Soviet Union.
He did. We pretty much all did. Reagan affected change that eventually led to the collapse of the old Soviet regime. For a time, albeit brief, there was a glimmer of hope for world peace and prosperity.
But alas, the world’s peoples have some sort of perverse need to (continually) consign power over themselves into the hands of a few despicable morons. It must be some ethereal rule of the universe that I have thus far failed to comprehend...
I am completely baffled by how this nation has "raised" the current crop of politicians. Certainly, those on the right who are causing all of this needless chaos. I'm sure they all think that they possess some sort of clever brinksmanship. Far from it. Their collective stupidity is quickly increasing the demise of our Democracy.
Our long-term survival requires that we build on our gains and learn from our mistakes so as not to repeat them again. These past eight years have resulted in an epic Fail.
It really is mind blowing
Chamberlain--"I believe it is peace for our time." Churchill-"You chose dishonor and you will have war." I pray something happens to wake up our sleeping leaders in Congress. The problem is they have to lead. They seem to know nothing about history.
I don’t believe the Republicans are “sleeping”. I also turned 67 this year. I think the Republicans are following a very deliberate strategy from Donald Trump / Vladimir Putin / various international billionaires. How would an enemy attack a much stronger adversary? By weakening that adversary from within first. By having that adversary fight among themselves. Trojan Horse; Gideon’s getting the enemy to fight each other, strategy right out of the Art of War. Mike Johnson said the Republicans wanted to know Ukraine’s strategy to “win” before releasing funds. Why? So Speaker Johnson could go blab it to Trump; who would tell Putin?? This is WAR - Ukraine is fighting the US’s greatest opponent and this Republican apparatchik Mike Johnson is instead diverting holding impeachment bs (without evidence) on the President Biden. Why? Because he welcomed back his prodigal son! Oh the shame! How un-Christian of Joe Biden to do something right out of a parable that Jesus Christ himself told. Where is your evidence you Pharisees??? You serpents in the Congress? You sit and spin your lies while making no moves to prevent a world war.
It is amazing (and saddening) to see how Zelensky continues to fight for his country and the continued support for democracy in all he says and does for his countrymen. We (Americans) who supposedly hold democracy so dear to our hearts (but do we really?) should take lessons from Zelensky’s example. He unashamedly pleads with anyone who will listen for assistance in his country’s fight for their very life. Since the beginning of their conflict, he resisted calls to flee his country and stays to fight another day. He has consistently routed out corruption in his government, making necessary changes that will help in the effort to keep his country free and thereby benefit and bolster the lives of Ukraine. Could we say the same of the majority of our current legislators? I doubt it. There will be some that would answer the call for courage to do the right thing but alas not enough of them have the courage to do what’s right and necessary.
It breaks my heart
Breaks my heart too. But we can’t lose hope that all is lost. Just as the Ukrainians are fighting, we too are fighting for our country, albeit a fight for truth and the hearts and minds of our countrymen. Thank you for your words and insights. We need to know these things.
These are terrific points. Supporting our allies against our enemies is the only sensible path forward. And thanks for pointing out that American companies benefit from investment in Ukraine’s future.
We are very close to choosing dishonor! And, if we continue to choose dishonor, we will have wider war. Appeasement always begets aggression. Many of the younger Congress people now in office have no idea, not a clue. We have had it very soft for very long, but I believe that is beginning to change and I hope and pray we can find some better decision makers than many we have in Congress now. That includes the extremists on both ends of the spectrum.
Very true
And some of the older people in Congress, who should no better, appear to be clueless, but I think all they really care about is being re-elected and maintaining and enhancing their power!
Sadly, the smart ones are leaving or have left already.
I would gladly throw more money than our young men and women at/into a conflict. Do any members of Congress read history books anymore?🤷♀️
Much cheaper than lives. I think they read they just don’t care.
Read? Not when we can tweet, posture and interview to show how ignorant we are and pretend we are smart!
short answer? No.
I would join again to go there. To old. The corporations that stand to gain from this is astounding. You are absolutely correct
It doesn't help when the leading Republican Presidential candidate is an open Putin fanboy and will likely do everything he can to ensure that Russia does defeat Ukraine (and then presumably absorbs that unfortunate country). He'll also pull us out of NATO in order to facilitate that.
Yep exactly why they have sold out. Trump made it “cool”
Ukraine has a history with Russia/Soviet Union that goes beyond just a "cranky, overbearing neighbor next door". I was pointed at and recently read a book "The Harvest of Sorrow: Soviet Collectivization and the Terror-Famine" written back in 1986. It discussed Soviet activities and control in the 1920's and 1930's. They were purposefully starving out rural areas by confiscating and withholding food in the battle against "enemies of the state". Much of this was directed at Ukraine specifically. Entire villages starved to death. The author's estimate of the total dead, inclusive of those that starved to death where they lived and those that were arrested, deported to camps and died later, is 14.5 million. Of these, 5 million in Ukraine in 1932-33 alone.
They have a good reason to fear Russian control and fight against it.
I only wish this message would wind up in the email of every Republican voter, every potential Trump voter and every member of Congress.
I do too
Adam thank you for all you are doing. I am so depressed about the state of our nation and you are like a bright star shining through a storming night. I finished your book. It was excellent.
Thanks to Partisan politics and neo-confederate christian-nationalist takeover of the south gop
Here is a reminder about Donald Trump's Miss Universe pageant, hosted in Moscow in 2013. Everything the man has done since and continues to do now is in service of these fantasies.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/18/trump-in-moscow-what-happened-at-miss-universe-in-2013
One more thought if this message could be sent to the CEO of every company on the Business Roundtable which represents the largest companies in the United States.
It’s amazing how they still give money to these people, despite their actions
I wish I could give you a thousand likes Adam. I'm devastated over our "leaders". They are crushing us, destroying us, destroying our reputation, turning their backs on our allies and our promises. Shameful. I don't know this country anymore.
To show the man Putin is, who the right wing admires so much, Alexei Navalny has gone missing, A man with courage, and I am doubtful he will be seen again. This is Putin. This is who many in our country want to see prevail.
There is an internet piece of garbage going around, I have seen repeated many times that Zelensky is making billions off of what we send Ukraine. First it was one yacht, now it's up for FOUR AND his wife is taking shopping trips to Paris.
I'm so disgusted.
The cost will be immense… of failure
I'm just sick to my stomach. There is a picture of Biden, Zelensky, and Mitch standing together and Mitch has that insipid grin of his, as he's selling the free world down the river. I will admit that some of the goings on ARE keeping me awake at night.
One thing positive, and I'm trying to find ANYTHING these days, I watched CNN Heroes last night and this morning and there are some just incredible people in the world working every day to make it better. If anyone here hasn't seen it, I know you can find it and it is so uplifting, and we need to support them and need more of them. Not everyone can do what they do, but we can support what they do to the best of our ability.
I appreciate what YOU are doing Adam, and I DO know there ARE more like you out there and we here can give whatever support we are able, however we are able.
And don’t forget about all the “allies “ of Putin who fell out windows, “jumped” from balconies, some who were poisoned and the Wagner founder who was blown up in his plane. None of these incidents took place without Putin’s approval.
Pamela, agree wholeheartedly with all you have written. Heartbroken about possible fate of Nalvany.💔🕊️
FDR and Churchill had to meet with the murderous farmer Stalin at Malta to get the Russians to fight against Germany in eastern Europe. The Russians went into Poland, Hungary, etc and defeated the Germans but then stayed and were just as evil. Much of the US military brass wanted to continue WWII after Germany and Japan had surrendered. They wanted to attack Russia and run them out of the nations that they had occupied. Truman knew that the American people were tired of war. This was the situation when I was born in 1951.
Trump was buddy buddy with Chairman Kim and especially Putin. Secret meetings with Putin and it is nobody's business what was said, to quote Trump. Today's GOP has plenty of fans in Russia. They should be proud.
It happened quickly.
Spot on! We, the voters, need to carefully evaluate the wisdom, integrity and courage of every candidate that we vote for every time we vote.
This is how we change everything