The tyrant looks at us as the "enemy within", his words not mine!!!
The larger the non-violent protest the more wearing down of the Police, Guard and Marines comes into play. They don't want to do this job and it going to get to them sooner or later. We have to be persistent because their is more of us then them. We will win in the end but it's going to take time and courage. "Freedom Isn't Free"
1. Next Protest -------------July 17th https://goodtroubleliveson.org/ Bring as many people as you can and a U.S. flag to the next protest! 💪
2. Recruit ----------------- Any non-voter that you know and convince him or her why they should be protesting and voting.
3. Boycott ---------------- Companies of CEO's & Exec. Officers who attended the Inauguration: Tesla, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon/Amazon Prime, Apple Computer/Apple TV, TikTok, Google and others https://www.goodsuniteus.com/
4. Call/E-mail/Message -------------- all Republican Senators & Congressman and remind them how poorly their leader is polling and that they will never get another vote from you as long as this nonsense continues.
Thank you for your service. The information about the VA denying care to Democrats is not true. I was one of the people that posted that because where I got my information from was always reliable. I found out the hard way that they are not always reliable and don't know what their purpose was. Yesterday I went to our local VFW to ask about it and they said it is not true. Then I went to the VA Administration in our town and they said it was not true. They gave me the number of the head VA and I called them. They said it is not true and that they are getting a lot of calls about it. We were all duped and I am so sorry that I posted it and am sure that everyone else is, too. We didn't need more stress in our lives. You, the Vets are HEROS and deserve the best of everything from our country. God Bless
Your correction here is clear evidence of what makes us different from MAGA. We have the inner strength to admit our mistakes and try to correct. If everbody could do that, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today. Thank you, Judy Cross.
There is certainly a war on “the opposition”. Its just going to be less blatant than “No healthcare for Democrat Vets”. They are already laying the groundwork demanding the Mayor of LA (she just said it herself on the Preet Bhahara substack) provide the fed a list of who “sponsored” the protests. Of course its no one. They are also insisting now that foreigners sponsored No Kings meaning democrats are being paid to destroy this country by foreign adversaries. They will certainly continue to come after Americans who are not MAGA.
Thank you for your service. You are the best of us!
Yeah we heard that BS that the protests back in late April or so were paid "radicals." My wife, her sister and husband are all wondering where the hell their checks are. Lost in the mail I gather. :)
As to coming After Americans that aren't MAGA that should prove rather interesting as polls indicate about 30% of the US electorate state they are MAGA supporters. I guess the 70% of us that aren't onboard with that foolishness are going to just standby and watch. Nah.
She didnt get her check? We all got ours. Tell her to call Elon Musk and demand her riot pay 🤣.
I sure hope you’re right. Im from the former Soviet Union. Ive seen first hand how a couple million corrupt, mobilized a-holes can oppress a country of 200 or 300 million. But this is America and i sure hope we fight back!
We are certainly not the enemy within. We are the fighters against those enemies. I just feel really bad for posting something that was not true. It was not my intention. Just goes to show us that you can't always rely on what used to be reliable sources. Really scary to me that that is happening.
I'm sorry you were duped, too. It's so hard to know what is the truth, when there are places you trust for the truth, telling untruths. I just know that I will never trust those places again.
Thank you for taking care of our Vets. They deserve good care. It's unfortunate that this administration doesn't care about people nor their country. We will fight for our country and we will win. I didn't live 83 years to see it turned into trump's kingdom. I am old enough to have seen politics the way they should be, not the way they are. Where is the respect for their country and for others?
I feel really bad about posting it. I probably cause a lot of people pain over this and that was not my intention. I have to learn not to trust sites that I think are trustful. It was on multiple sites, some that I trusted. Won't do that again. I remember when the news was honest and everyone could trust what they read.
You did read fairly correctly so no need to apologise. The fact that the VA says it will not actually follow the wording of the executive order is good for now and hopefully will never be brought forward again to deny any Veteran of care.
So I feel it’s important enough to post this again much more clearly: The Guardian DID report absolutely accurately and can be trusted to give proper information concerning this issue. Right within the article this is stated:
“In an emailed response to questions, the VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, did not dispute that language requiring medical staff to treat patients without discriminating on the basis of politics and marital status had been removed from the bylaws , but he said “all eligible veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law”.
He said the rule changes were nothing more than “a formality”, but confirmed that they were made to comply with Trump’s executive order. Kasperowicz also said the revisions were necessary to “ensure VA policy comports with federal law”. He did not say which federal law or laws required these changes.
The VA said federal laws and a 2013 policy directive that prohibits discrimination on the basis of marital status or political affiliation would not allow patients within the categories removed from its bylaws to be excluded from treatment or allow discrimination against medical professionals.
Those views aren’t relevant to caring for patients. So why would we put anyone at risk of losing care that way?
Dr Arthur Caplan of New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine
“Under no circumstances whatsoever would VA ever deny appropriate care to any eligible veterans or appropriate employment to any qualified potential employees,” a VA representative said.”
It would be very unfair to say that The Guardian gave incorrect information since they clearly stated the intent of the executive order as well as just exactly how the VA is reacting by continuing to give our vets (I’m one of them btw) the best service they can.
However it was something the Trump regime has wanted to put into effect, and hence the reporting of it. The guardian piece includes within it that the VA called it a formality only to comply with the executive order. Basically transgender care is the ultimate target.
Thank you for the articles. Seems to be a double edged sword with one foot in the door. I hope that what the trump administration is trying to do cannot be enforced. The Vets deserve the best care that they can get. I was told by the VA that none of this was true. The Guardian was one of the sources that I used. I just wish that this regime would do real government business, but I am not dumb enough to think that will really happen. It's only about revenge and stupidity. I can't imagine that doctors will forget their oath, but the transgender people can't be left behind nor anyone else either.
So I feel it’s important enough to post this again much more clearly: The Guardian DID report absolutely accurately and can be trusted to give proper information concerning this issue. Right within the article this is stated:
“In an emailed response to questions, the VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, did not dispute that language requiring medical staff to treat patients without discriminating on the basis of politics and marital status had been removed from the bylaws , but he said “all eligible veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law”.
He said the rule changes were nothing more than “a formality”, but confirmed that they were made to comply with Trump’s executive order. Kasperowicz also said the revisions were necessary to “ensure VA policy comports with federal law”. He did not say which federal law or laws required these changes.
The VA said federal laws and a 2013 policy directive that prohibits discrimination on the basis of marital status or political affiliation would not allow patients within the categories removed from its bylaws to be excluded from treatment or allow discrimination against medical professionals.
Those views aren’t relevant to caring for patients. So why would we put anyone at risk of losing care that way?
Dr Arthur Caplan of New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine
“Under no circumstances whatsoever would VA ever deny appropriate care to any eligible veterans or appropriate employment to any qualified potential employees,” a VA representative said.”
It would be very unfair to say that The Guardian gave incorrect information since they clearly stated the intent of the executive order as well as just exactly how the VA is reacting by continuing to give our vets (I’m one of them btw) the best service they can.
What I don't like is that they had to change the wording to comply with Trump. I do believe that they will give the Vets the care they deserve. I am having a hard time with all that Trump is doing and all that he is taking and changing. Making life harder for everyone and scarier than hell. It shouldn't be this way. Thank you for your service and take care. You have made this easier to understand.
There is something that Trump said at the G7 meeting the other day that stands out to me as being important as he started to rant on about blue states in front of the other leaders at the G7
Dean Blundell reported this piece :
“Targeting U.S. “enemy” cities:
In the very same media scrum, Trump abruptly pivoted to domestic politics, bragging about a new push to deport immigrants from Democratic-run “sanctuary cities.” He railed that “most of those people are in…all blue cities, all Democrat-run cities, and they think they’re going to use them to vote. It’s not going to happen”.
Listen and read his words carefully he is speaking it out loud
“THEY’RE NOT GOING TO USE THEM TO VOTE”
Doing all of this to affect the upcoming midterm elections.
He was actually telling why they’re targeting blue states and cities trying to purge all immigrants because once again they’re trying to purge the voters control voting limit voting.
Plus Noem declared they were going to never go away and they’re going to “LIBERATE “California.
From their own duly ELECTED officials !!
Always trying to overturn an election and go against the will of the people.
They tried to do this on January 6 when they mounted the most violent attack and treasonous insurrection trying to take over our Capitol building to stop the certification of a legitimate election and go against the will of the people.
They even went so far as to create illegally a FAKE SET OF ELECTORS from several states and manipulated to try to get the fake set of electors read into the record replacing the real ones that day.
They have tried to undermine and destroy the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 at every turn and at every state level
Yes, indeed, Trump announced at the G7 why they were going after the immigrants in the democratic blue state and cities.
The fact that he is president of the United States and he talks about blue versus red states and still wears his red Maga hat instead of being president for the whole of the United States of America and all Americans is just outrageous, offensive and perverted.
Nothing is presidential with integrity and honor, defending the constitution of the United States of America and our democracy.
All of this has been pushed through normal channels, which is impossible when there is no equivalency for what’s going on.
They know they cannot win fairly and by their pure nature, they don’t want to.
The Republican Party is dead gutted out .
We need a healthy Republican Party in this country for democracy.
In a democracy that’s working there is bipartisan cooperation. Each side it’s supposed to be considered to having good ideas coming together to negotiate on behalf of the good of the American people defending our constitution and our democracy.
That is not what we have had in decades
McCarthyism from the 50s in Wisconsin never went away the Nixon people and the corruption never went away
Fascism authoritarianism that reared his head in the 30s and 40s never went away
after the purging of the John Birch society (so they thought ) - never went away
History is repeating itself from the 30s and 40s with Germany
I’m pretty certain that we are going to have to fight the Fascists each time they rear their ugly heads. Whenever our country gets too comfortable & happy is when it seems to happen. This time they tried a different tactic, but this won’t work this time either. EO’s are not laws. We have to keep beating these crazy people back under the rock they crawled out of. There is the Right Way & a Wrong Way to Lead in a Strong Democracy, and Trump & his hatchet men & women think they are better & stronger because of money, but that’s where they are very WRONG! We will keep beating them back each and every time. TRUE PATRIOTS WILL WIN THIS!
I'm reading Prequel right now. Someone recommended it on here a few weeks ago. I had no idea about what went on in this Country with fascism in the 1930's. I highly recommend this book also!
Trump looking a little scraggly and slobbery at the G7 videos I saw. I don't think he's doing too well. On the other hand, I'm even more worried about his brain trust that he's relying on to help him make decisions, especially Ambassador Huckabee, but actually all of them. Wish we could call a special election the way the countries with Parliaments do!
I am actually Praying that Adam Kinzinger runs for President. His extensive knowledge of politics, world affairs and military experience are unmatched in this country. But more than that, Kinzinger has both wisdom and discernment-a very rare combination especially when paired with his political and military knowledge.
ADAM KINZINGER IS EXACTLY WHAT AMERICA NEEDS RIGHT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE!
Adam, thank you for sharing your background knowledge with us. There seems to be really good options as you list them. If the unrest in the Middle East broadens, lives will be lost on all sides. While I do believe that something needs to be done to address Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons, what frightens me the most is the utterly incompetent people at the helm of the departments (i.e. Hegseth) that would need to be involved. One stupid misstep by anyone of these buffoons can be costly. I do believe that our armed forces are the best in the world. Unfortunately the very top dogs, those appointed by the orange man-baby are not. They are the uncontrollable factor in all of this. Keep speaking truth.
I believe so. I was never in the military, but I spent a LOT of time in highschool marching in the N.D.C.C. and R.O.T.C. (3 times per week and also every Sunday in woollen uniforms carrying an M1 Garand). I also marched in the marching band. I grew up in an orphanage and these programs were required summer time activities.
Looking at the trump "birthday" parade last weekend, I never saw so many marchers out-of-step or such terrible row or diagonal lines. It's like they never knew the meaning of "Dress-Right-Dress".
I respectfully submit that this was intentional. Those soldiers were ordered to march there, but they didn't have to like it. I believe they all know proper marching procedures, they just didn't want to that day. A "silent protest" by the military required march in trump's parade, in my opinion.
There is no way I can believe that was the best they could do!
I've concluded that trump's "cabinet" is actually a Chest of Draw-ers. They go around beating their own chest an puffing it out, while draw-ing the financial life-blood from the American People.
For clarity and perspective, I spent 20 years in the Air Force as an operational and electronic signals intelligence analyst, and 36 years overall as a federal counterterrorism intelligence officer. That’s not a boast—just the credential stamp I carry when offering agreement or critique. While in some respect our mutual experience is adjacent, you have insight I lack. Your piece hit the mark in many places, and I want to say first: you clearly get the stakes. Iran’s shadow war has never been abstract to those of us who’ve tracked EFP networks, mourned the dead from proxy ambushes, or watched intel traffic confirming Tehran’s hand in the blood. Your clarity on that front is refreshing and long overdue in public conversation.
You’re also right that the American public—and frankly, large swaths of the policymaking class—has finally internalized the lesson that full-scale war doesn’t work in the Middle East the way it’s sold. We’ve seen what happens when arrogance wears body armor. And I agree with you: Iran isn’t ten feet tall. It’s unstable, unpopular at home, and reliant on smoke and mirrors.
But here’s where I’d offer some additions—not as counterpoints, but as ballast.
We often overestimate the surgical nature of air campaigns and underestimate the fire they stir. A precision strike on Fordow might be militarily possible, but it won’t be politically sterile. Retaliation won’t come through uniformed brigades—it’ll come through Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemeni insurgents, Iraqi militias, and digital backdoors. And if the goal is to keep the Iranian people on our side, we need to remember: even a hated regime can rally nationalism when bombs start falling.
You also nailed the credibility gap left by Trump’s erratic decisions. But if he does act, it may not be because the threat calculus demands it—it may be for the optics. And that, frankly, makes strategic planning a lot harder. If a president’s motive is personal drama, not durable outcomes, then even the cleanest mission objectives can be twisted mid-flight.
And lastly—while I share your pride in our military’s capability, I carry the ghosts of our strategic failures too. Not for lack of firepower or bravery, but from a chronic allergy to thinking past Day One. That’s not on our troops—it’s on the suits. If we hit Iran, what happens on Day Two? Day Twenty? What fills the vacuum? What narrative takes hold in the region and online? If we don’t ask those questions now, we’ll be answering them with lives later.
Again—thank you for laying this out with seriousness and conviction. These are the kinds of conversations we need more of. I’m not just nodding along—I’m adding my voice to yours, with a few caution signs I’ve seen flash before. Keep writing. I enjoy your posts.
Thanks for an astonishingly articulate response to an amazingly cogent original post. THIS is what real political dialogue should look like: brilliant, well-informed, humane, and reflective. All I can say is ... whew ... Substack rocks! I think I needed this exchange as much for my knowledge on the subject as for the affirmation that social media can be more than a cess pool of narcissism, venting, and pernicious bots. Thank you.)
Gresham's Law expanded to the general. The bad ultimately drives out the good. Given that a fair number of substack writers requirement membership (payment) to post that may be a significant factor in preventing that from happening.
I've thought for a long time that Adam Kinzinger should be the next US President. I'll keep praying. He is always well informed, intelligent, fair, logical and so much more. Adam, America needs you badly.
Hmm, while I respect you completely Adam, I disagree with American involvement in what could lead to a lengthy world crisis. Your assessment of Iran’s actual current strength may be correct, but you didn’t address what Iran could look like with unbridled support from other enemies, both regional to Iran and broader internationally, should America become involved. Slippery slope … and with this “current leadership” in place —
Nothing is easy I assure you. I’m more just laying out what action could look like. But Iran has been supplying Russia and destabilizing the world for a long time
I respect you and your military service, Adam, but I view things differently.
The Iraq war should never have happened. We ignored the fact that Iraq did NOT have weapons of mass destruction. We were after their oil—Halliburton profited from the war.
Currently we are ignoring the fact that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons. WTF. Wars and killing hundreds of thousands of civilians in our shock and awe invasion as in Iraq, makes for more US enemies. We are too saber happy! And now with the Bully-in-Chief who knows where this will end!
At times it’s hard to know what’s true and objective. You speak the truth with knowledge and objectivity. We need leadership like yours. Although it would be a difficult task to clean up what this current regime leaves behind, our country needs you! Please run for president!
Chicken TACO Trump always fails to rise to the office of the presidency with actual leadership. There are no good guys in the entire debacle but hopefully if the Iranian regime falls from the bombing campaign, it's not replaced with something worse. What's abundantly clear is this is another broken Trump promise. During his campaign his constant refrain was he was the No More Wars candidate. And the MAGAs bought the lies. Now Trump is trying to gaslight them into believing that he never made those promises. I guess TACO Trump has gone full 1984:
" we were not at war with Eastasia at all. We were in alliance with them. The war was against Eurasia. "
I wish you would look at Alexander Vindman’s recent interview on Substack. It’s not the interview , but a comment from Jason that was made on the 17th. I have been listening to different opinions from journalists and on different podcasts. Jason has shared what others were saying about Netanyahu accusing of Iran to make a nuclear bomb. He has been accusing them of this since 1992!! I have seen videos of him repeating this same conversation for years!! He ILLEGALLY attacked Iran!!! I wish you would also check out “Secular Talk” and see what Kyle Kulinski said about this. Many people see that Netanyahu WANTS the U.S. to get involved. Many have expressed that it is insane!!!! Yet you are looking at all the possibilities on how to go about this? Exactly what does Iran’s nuclear power compose of? Does it supply electricity to many areas? After all, nuclear power can do this!!! Netanyahu is a war criminal. To me, he can’t be trusted. Trumps track record for positive change to the U.S. sucks and he, as well as his Regime, are unfit!!! So what are we looking at here, Adam? Another war? Really? I truly thought you would agree on the insanity of it all!!!! I guess because of my interest in all this the algorithm has added podcasts that I have never seen. Please also check out Miko Peled. I once saw a documentary on Netanyahu. It showed how his father brought him and his brother to the United States. They grew up in the Bronx!! In New York!! His father hated Muslims and passed that onto his sons. Look what he is doing in Gaza? If you don’t think it is a genocide, think again. There is so much that I have learned about this in the past few months!! I would keep on writing, but I have to go!! If you can, also look up Abby Martin!!!!
True enough and we backed a lot of folks that weren't "nice guys" as long as it fit the power players perceived needs. It's that "yes he's an SOB but he's OUR SOB." :) How the world works.
He would never ask for Congressional approval. He doesn't need it, since they support him in everything he does and asks for. There is no senate anymore. Most of them are just there to collect a paycheck and screw the American people and the USA.
Judy Cross, I would respectfully disagree, and ask that not all of Congress be painted with a broad brush. I'm in Illinois, and as examples of Democrats fighting this regime, we have Veteran Senator Tammy Duckworth (in a wheelchair because her plane was shot down in combat) along with House representatives Jan Schakowsky (retiring this year) and Brad Schneider--just to name a few. Even Senator Dick Durbin, also retiring, is finally stepping up. And I'm more proud than I can say that Illinois Governor Pritzker is speaking truth to power AND opening Illinois to those in need of reproductive services and so much else, as state government becomes more important than ever.
I know that there are some there doing their jobs, but, unfortunately, they are the minority. What I was really talking about was the republicans in the senate that are giving trump everything he wants and won't say no. Not all of them, either, but enough, so that they have the final word. It seems like most of them don't like our country and won't do the job that they were elected to do. If Mike Johnson, would speak out with the truth, we wouldn't be in this mess. Since I am 83, I do remember when Congress respected each other - they may not have liked each other, but they showed respect and worked together. Not like what it happening today. I have representatives that I try to contact about what is happening and hear nothing. Get a form text once in a great while, that has nothing to do with the issue and a letter from one telling me about all the great things he has done. Still nothing about my concerns. I agree, that state government is extremely important and I do believe that it has to start at the state level to have any impact in Washington. All states have to work together and I, personally, do not see that happening. I just wish this had never started and that we could blink our eyes and have it go away. I find it very scary where we are heading and will fight to not go there.
Judy Cross, thank you for clarifying. I'm 76 years old and totally agree! As one poster at a rally said, "I've been fighting since the 60s and I'm not giving up!" But this is evil such as we've never seen in our lifetimes or the life of our country. I'm fighting for my kids and grandchildren. I'm following the wisdom of my ancient Jewish rabbis: "It is not up to us to complete the task, neither are we free to desist from it." Republicans in Congress seem to be waking up to the consequences of Trump's BIg Horrible Bill, and maybe that will make a difference? Or maybe not, I don't know....but I DO know that you and I and Adam and millions of others will keep fighting, regardless! And resistance is growing.
I do agree that there are some republicans in Congress that are seeing some of the light, but when it comes time to vote will they do what's right. I some-times, wonder with nothing to back it up, if they and/or their families have been threatened in any way. What we have been seeing from them is not normal behavior for the job that they are doing. I know we will always have the haters, since that is what is produced out of the WH, but for so many to follow it and not resist is questioning. To me, it looks like too many of them can't make their own decisions. I find that strange in this day and age. I hope they are making their own decisions and are not being intimidated in any way. Intimidation does not belong in politics. Fairness, respect, talking across the aisle, gentlemanly hand shakes does.
Fairness, respect, talking across the aisle---that did happen back in the day, and perhaps it's still happening on the quieet. Our representative in the House, Brad Schneider, talks about bipartisan groups and votes and conversation across the aisle is still going on, but not out in the open, for fear of retaliatory MAGA and its followers. I just hope, and must act, toward the day when this whole slimy crew goes down the drain, so that honesty and integrity can be restored. Then Adam can run for President (I do find it hopeful that he's liking the comments that ask him to run!!)
Never have I read one of your letters that I disagree with more. I am sick and tired of our support for the war-mongers of Israel. Right now they are not satisfied with massacring starving Palestinians in Gaza as they try to get food and stealing Arab West Bank land (and killing any Arabs who try to stop them) for more illegal (internationally) settlements and occasionally attacking any targets they fear in almost any neighboring country, especially weak ones, and having the only NUCLEAR weapons in the Middle East. They are not satisfied because they think they can drag our idiot President into a war with Iran. Our history with Iran has been one of interference with their ambitions since the EARLY 1950's when we helped the British remove a democratically elected government to install our dictator, the Shah, who ran a government full of murderers and thugs while he kissed the asses of Western leaders.
The Iranians (Persians) were a proud people when the Jews of Israel were the slaves of the Egyptians and the future inhabitants of the US were ignorant peasants scattered all over the world. Yet we treat the Iranians as if they are the newcomer idiots on the block. We might want to rethink that. If we related to them as equals ....
Furthermore, I'd remind you that if we are dumb enough to start this war with Iran, you as a past soldier know, when the first punch is thrown all the smug plans go out the window. In this time of asymmetric warfare do you think the Iranians would be dumb enough to think they could fly across the Atlantic to attack us? I sure hope not. They know better ways. There are thousands of uninspected containers scattered all over the US, many forgotten in warehouses and back in wooded lots. Both the Ukrainians and Israelis used such containers to smuggle weapons into another country and later activated them. The Iranians may have already planted weapons here so our single strike on their country could be answered with attacks on oil refineries, nuclear generating stations, and other very valuable infrastructure in this country. There are thousands more uninspected containers on ships at our ports and at anchorages in places like Chesapeake Bay and offshore of many ports. The Iranians are a major source of the drones Russia is using and Russia is assisting them in modernizing them at every opportunity.
My suggestion is that we get off our high moral horse and tell Israel that they are the ones who started this and are on their own. Furthermore we stop feeding them the weapons they are using in their murdering of Palestinians. Have we no shame when it comes to our assistance in this genocide?
Thank you, Adam, for giving us a full picture of the actions that can be taken against Iran. I wish the US had a much better team in charge.
The tyrant looks at us as the "enemy within", his words not mine!!!
The larger the non-violent protest the more wearing down of the Police, Guard and Marines comes into play. They don't want to do this job and it going to get to them sooner or later. We have to be persistent because their is more of us then them. We will win in the end but it's going to take time and courage. "Freedom Isn't Free"
1. Next Protest -------------July 17th https://goodtroubleliveson.org/ Bring as many people as you can and a U.S. flag to the next protest! 💪
2. Recruit ----------------- Any non-voter that you know and convince him or her why they should be protesting and voting.
3. Boycott ---------------- Companies of CEO's & Exec. Officers who attended the Inauguration: Tesla, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon/Amazon Prime, Apple Computer/Apple TV, TikTok, Google and others https://www.goodsuniteus.com/
4. Call/E-mail/Message -------------- all Republican Senators & Congressman and remind them how poorly their leader is polling and that they will never get another vote from you as long as this nonsense continues.
5. Donate ---------------- If you can afford it donate to the organizations that are doing the legal fights. https://www.aclu.org/ - https://democracyforward.org/ - https://www.citizen.org/ - https://www.citizensforethics.org/ These groups are suing the Trump administration virtually every day.
6. Join -------------------- https://www.country1st.com/ - https://indivisible.org/ - https://www.commoncause.org/ - https://pol-rev.com/
7. Attend -----------------Town Hall meetings
8. Tesla Takedown ------- Is he totally gone? No, his servers are still there gobbling up all our info🤔https://www.teslatakedown.com/
9. I hope we never have to get to this option because it's the worst option of all, which I won't mention here. "Freedom Isn't Free" Vietnam Veteran
Thank you for your service. The information about the VA denying care to Democrats is not true. I was one of the people that posted that because where I got my information from was always reliable. I found out the hard way that they are not always reliable and don't know what their purpose was. Yesterday I went to our local VFW to ask about it and they said it is not true. Then I went to the VA Administration in our town and they said it was not true. They gave me the number of the head VA and I called them. They said it is not true and that they are getting a lot of calls about it. We were all duped and I am so sorry that I posted it and am sure that everyone else is, too. We didn't need more stress in our lives. You, the Vets are HEROS and deserve the best of everything from our country. God Bless
Your correction here is clear evidence of what makes us different from MAGA. We have the inner strength to admit our mistakes and try to correct. If everbody could do that, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today. Thank you, Judy Cross.
Thanks for the info, I'll remove that from my comment. I'm sure this doesn't make us any less the "enemy within".
There is certainly a war on “the opposition”. Its just going to be less blatant than “No healthcare for Democrat Vets”. They are already laying the groundwork demanding the Mayor of LA (she just said it herself on the Preet Bhahara substack) provide the fed a list of who “sponsored” the protests. Of course its no one. They are also insisting now that foreigners sponsored No Kings meaning democrats are being paid to destroy this country by foreign adversaries. They will certainly continue to come after Americans who are not MAGA.
Thank you for your service. You are the best of us!
Yeah we heard that BS that the protests back in late April or so were paid "radicals." My wife, her sister and husband are all wondering where the hell their checks are. Lost in the mail I gather. :)
As to coming After Americans that aren't MAGA that should prove rather interesting as polls indicate about 30% of the US electorate state they are MAGA supporters. I guess the 70% of us that aren't onboard with that foolishness are going to just standby and watch. Nah.
She didnt get her check? We all got ours. Tell her to call Elon Musk and demand her riot pay 🤣.
I sure hope you’re right. Im from the former Soviet Union. Ive seen first hand how a couple million corrupt, mobilized a-holes can oppress a country of 200 or 300 million. But this is America and i sure hope we fight back!
We are certainly not the enemy within. We are the fighters against those enemies. I just feel really bad for posting something that was not true. It was not my intention. Just goes to show us that you can't always rely on what used to be reliable sources. Really scary to me that that is happening.
I, too, was duped by that misinformation. And I will be more cautious in the future. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
I'm sorry you were duped, too. It's so hard to know what is the truth, when there are places you trust for the truth, telling untruths. I just know that I will never trust those places again.
The enemy within according to them not according to us. FIGHT ON!!!
I’ll tell you that no matter what, it’s not happening. I’m a VA physician, and regardless of the truth of the order, it’s not happening.
Having the Federalized Cal National Guard in LA is harmless. They would quietly disregard orders to take on orders to hurt citizens.
Being an American citizen should mean being human first.
Thank you for taking care of our Vets. They deserve good care. It's unfortunate that this administration doesn't care about people nor their country. We will fight for our country and we will win. I didn't live 83 years to see it turned into trump's kingdom. I am old enough to have seen politics the way they should be, not the way they are. Where is the respect for their country and for others?
I looked it up and found it wasn’t true either. You beat me to the punch. Thank you for clearing this up.
I feel really bad about posting it. I probably cause a lot of people pain over this and that was not my intention. I have to learn not to trust sites that I think are trustful. It was on multiple sites, some that I trusted. Won't do that again. I remember when the news was honest and everyone could trust what they read.
You did read fairly correctly so no need to apologise. The fact that the VA says it will not actually follow the wording of the executive order is good for now and hopefully will never be brought forward again to deny any Veteran of care.
Don’t, I planned on it myself. Truth is always better. 👍
So I feel it’s important enough to post this again much more clearly: The Guardian DID report absolutely accurately and can be trusted to give proper information concerning this issue. Right within the article this is stated:
“In an emailed response to questions, the VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, did not dispute that language requiring medical staff to treat patients without discriminating on the basis of politics and marital status had been removed from the bylaws , but he said “all eligible veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law”.
He said the rule changes were nothing more than “a formality”, but confirmed that they were made to comply with Trump’s executive order. Kasperowicz also said the revisions were necessary to “ensure VA policy comports with federal law”. He did not say which federal law or laws required these changes.
The VA said federal laws and a 2013 policy directive that prohibits discrimination on the basis of marital status or political affiliation would not allow patients within the categories removed from its bylaws to be excluded from treatment or allow discrimination against medical professionals.
Those views aren’t relevant to caring for patients. So why would we put anyone at risk of losing care that way?
Dr Arthur Caplan of New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine
“Under no circumstances whatsoever would VA ever deny appropriate care to any eligible veterans or appropriate employment to any qualified potential employees,” a VA representative said.”
It would be very unfair to say that The Guardian gave incorrect information since they clearly stated the intent of the executive order as well as just exactly how the VA is reacting by continuing to give our vets (I’m one of them btw) the best service they can.
However it was something the Trump regime has wanted to put into effect, and hence the reporting of it. The guardian piece includes within it that the VA called it a formality only to comply with the executive order. Basically transgender care is the ultimate target.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/va-doctors-refuse-treat-patients
Here is an article about how Senator Murray of WA responded:
https://www.murray.senate.gov/trump-administration-allows-va-doctors-to-deny-care-to-unmarried-women-and-democrats-senator-murray-responds/
Thank you for the articles. Seems to be a double edged sword with one foot in the door. I hope that what the trump administration is trying to do cannot be enforced. The Vets deserve the best care that they can get. I was told by the VA that none of this was true. The Guardian was one of the sources that I used. I just wish that this regime would do real government business, but I am not dumb enough to think that will really happen. It's only about revenge and stupidity. I can't imagine that doctors will forget their oath, but the transgender people can't be left behind nor anyone else either.
So I feel it’s important enough to post this again much more clearly: The Guardian DID report absolutely accurately and can be trusted to give proper information concerning this issue. Right within the article this is stated:
“In an emailed response to questions, the VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, did not dispute that language requiring medical staff to treat patients without discriminating on the basis of politics and marital status had been removed from the bylaws , but he said “all eligible veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law”.
He said the rule changes were nothing more than “a formality”, but confirmed that they were made to comply with Trump’s executive order. Kasperowicz also said the revisions were necessary to “ensure VA policy comports with federal law”. He did not say which federal law or laws required these changes.
The VA said federal laws and a 2013 policy directive that prohibits discrimination on the basis of marital status or political affiliation would not allow patients within the categories removed from its bylaws to be excluded from treatment or allow discrimination against medical professionals.
Those views aren’t relevant to caring for patients. So why would we put anyone at risk of losing care that way?
Dr Arthur Caplan of New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine
“Under no circumstances whatsoever would VA ever deny appropriate care to any eligible veterans or appropriate employment to any qualified potential employees,” a VA representative said.”
It would be very unfair to say that The Guardian gave incorrect information since they clearly stated the intent of the executive order as well as just exactly how the VA is reacting by continuing to give our vets (I’m one of them btw) the best service they can.
What I don't like is that they had to change the wording to comply with Trump. I do believe that they will give the Vets the care they deserve. I am having a hard time with all that Trump is doing and all that he is taking and changing. Making life harder for everyone and scarier than hell. It shouldn't be this way. Thank you for your service and take care. You have made this easier to understand.
Thank you, Judy, for pursuing the truth.
There is something that Trump said at the G7 meeting the other day that stands out to me as being important as he started to rant on about blue states in front of the other leaders at the G7
Dean Blundell reported this piece :
“Targeting U.S. “enemy” cities:
In the very same media scrum, Trump abruptly pivoted to domestic politics, bragging about a new push to deport immigrants from Democratic-run “sanctuary cities.” He railed that “most of those people are in…all blue cities, all Democrat-run cities, and they think they’re going to use them to vote. It’s not going to happen”.
Listen and read his words carefully he is speaking it out loud
“THEY’RE NOT GOING TO USE THEM TO VOTE”
Doing all of this to affect the upcoming midterm elections.
He was actually telling why they’re targeting blue states and cities trying to purge all immigrants because once again they’re trying to purge the voters control voting limit voting.
Plus Noem declared they were going to never go away and they’re going to “LIBERATE “California.
From their own duly ELECTED officials !!
Always trying to overturn an election and go against the will of the people.
They tried to do this on January 6 when they mounted the most violent attack and treasonous insurrection trying to take over our Capitol building to stop the certification of a legitimate election and go against the will of the people.
They even went so far as to create illegally a FAKE SET OF ELECTORS from several states and manipulated to try to get the fake set of electors read into the record replacing the real ones that day.
They have tried to undermine and destroy the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 at every turn and at every state level
Yes, indeed, Trump announced at the G7 why they were going after the immigrants in the democratic blue state and cities.
The fact that he is president of the United States and he talks about blue versus red states and still wears his red Maga hat instead of being president for the whole of the United States of America and all Americans is just outrageous, offensive and perverted.
Nothing is presidential with integrity and honor, defending the constitution of the United States of America and our democracy.
All of this has been pushed through normal channels, which is impossible when there is no equivalency for what’s going on.
They know they cannot win fairly and by their pure nature, they don’t want to.
The Republican Party is dead gutted out .
We need a healthy Republican Party in this country for democracy.
In a democracy that’s working there is bipartisan cooperation. Each side it’s supposed to be considered to having good ideas coming together to negotiate on behalf of the good of the American people defending our constitution and our democracy.
That is not what we have had in decades
McCarthyism from the 50s in Wisconsin never went away the Nixon people and the corruption never went away
Fascism authoritarianism that reared his head in the 30s and 40s never went away
after the purging of the John Birch society (so they thought ) - never went away
History is repeating itself from the 30s and 40s with Germany
I’m pretty certain that we are going to have to fight the Fascists each time they rear their ugly heads. Whenever our country gets too comfortable & happy is when it seems to happen. This time they tried a different tactic, but this won’t work this time either. EO’s are not laws. We have to keep beating these crazy people back under the rock they crawled out of. There is the Right Way & a Wrong Way to Lead in a Strong Democracy, and Trump & his hatchet men & women think they are better & stronger because of money, but that’s where they are very WRONG! We will keep beating them back each and every time. TRUE PATRIOTS WILL WIN THIS!
This is so true
Rachel Maddow who is on Monday nights on MSNBC is such an excellent narrator and orator of history of fascism in our country has a book out
“Prequel: An American fight against fascism”
She has detailed everything back to the 30s
She also has a podcast dedicated to it, which is excellent
She uses old audio news, clips pictures
Just excellent
I'm reading Prequel right now. Someone recommended it on here a few weeks ago. I had no idea about what went on in this Country with fascism in the 1930's. I highly recommend this book also!
I do not miss her show
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PREQUEL TOO!!
I will have to get her book and go to her podcast. Thank you!
Trump looking a little scraggly and slobbery at the G7 videos I saw. I don't think he's doing too well. On the other hand, I'm even more worried about his brain trust that he's relying on to help him make decisions, especially Ambassador Huckabee, but actually all of them. Wish we could call a special election the way the countries with Parliaments do!
It also should be noted
Benjamin Netanyahu was also behind the message “ weapons of mass destruction” that prompted the United States to invade Iraq
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHzSr52fZLQ
https://www.c-span.org/clip/house-committee/user-clip-netanyahu-says-no-question-saddam-working-on-nuclear-weapons/4927483
PLEASE RUN FOR PRESIDENT! ❤️💙🇺🇸
and a profound THANK YOU for your service!!!
When the time is right, please do!!
I am actually Praying that Adam Kinzinger runs for President. His extensive knowledge of politics, world affairs and military experience are unmatched in this country. But more than that, Kinzinger has both wisdom and discernment-a very rare combination especially when paired with his political and military knowledge.
ADAM KINZINGER IS EXACTLY WHAT AMERICA NEEDS RIGHT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE!
Please Adam. AMERICA NEEDS YOU!
YES!!!
I’d vote for him in a heartbeat!
Here is a very good article about how Iran has overstepped.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/how-iran-lost
Thank you for this article Adam
As everybody else has been saying thank you so much for your service
You are an honorable man
Thank you. It's helpful to have the full story behind the conflict.
Adam, thank you for sharing your background knowledge with us. There seems to be really good options as you list them. If the unrest in the Middle East broadens, lives will be lost on all sides. While I do believe that something needs to be done to address Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons, what frightens me the most is the utterly incompetent people at the helm of the departments (i.e. Hegseth) that would need to be involved. One stupid misstep by anyone of these buffoons can be costly. I do believe that our armed forces are the best in the world. Unfortunately the very top dogs, those appointed by the orange man-baby are not. They are the uncontrollable factor in all of this. Keep speaking truth.
I agree. The good thing is at least the military leaders are still competent
Except for Hegseth. He would be running away as fast as his skinny legs would carry him.
I believe so. I was never in the military, but I spent a LOT of time in highschool marching in the N.D.C.C. and R.O.T.C. (3 times per week and also every Sunday in woollen uniforms carrying an M1 Garand). I also marched in the marching band. I grew up in an orphanage and these programs were required summer time activities.
Looking at the trump "birthday" parade last weekend, I never saw so many marchers out-of-step or such terrible row or diagonal lines. It's like they never knew the meaning of "Dress-Right-Dress".
I respectfully submit that this was intentional. Those soldiers were ordered to march there, but they didn't have to like it. I believe they all know proper marching procedures, they just didn't want to that day. A "silent protest" by the military required march in trump's parade, in my opinion.
There is no way I can believe that was the best they could do!
It is Trump that is the loose cannon out of control
Thank Goodness. I was worried there was no one with experience to speak up, but will he listen?
I've concluded that trump's "cabinet" is actually a Chest of Draw-ers. They go around beating their own chest an puffing it out, while draw-ing the financial life-blood from the American People.
Adam,
For clarity and perspective, I spent 20 years in the Air Force as an operational and electronic signals intelligence analyst, and 36 years overall as a federal counterterrorism intelligence officer. That’s not a boast—just the credential stamp I carry when offering agreement or critique. While in some respect our mutual experience is adjacent, you have insight I lack. Your piece hit the mark in many places, and I want to say first: you clearly get the stakes. Iran’s shadow war has never been abstract to those of us who’ve tracked EFP networks, mourned the dead from proxy ambushes, or watched intel traffic confirming Tehran’s hand in the blood. Your clarity on that front is refreshing and long overdue in public conversation.
You’re also right that the American public—and frankly, large swaths of the policymaking class—has finally internalized the lesson that full-scale war doesn’t work in the Middle East the way it’s sold. We’ve seen what happens when arrogance wears body armor. And I agree with you: Iran isn’t ten feet tall. It’s unstable, unpopular at home, and reliant on smoke and mirrors.
But here’s where I’d offer some additions—not as counterpoints, but as ballast.
We often overestimate the surgical nature of air campaigns and underestimate the fire they stir. A precision strike on Fordow might be militarily possible, but it won’t be politically sterile. Retaliation won’t come through uniformed brigades—it’ll come through Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemeni insurgents, Iraqi militias, and digital backdoors. And if the goal is to keep the Iranian people on our side, we need to remember: even a hated regime can rally nationalism when bombs start falling.
You also nailed the credibility gap left by Trump’s erratic decisions. But if he does act, it may not be because the threat calculus demands it—it may be for the optics. And that, frankly, makes strategic planning a lot harder. If a president’s motive is personal drama, not durable outcomes, then even the cleanest mission objectives can be twisted mid-flight.
And lastly—while I share your pride in our military’s capability, I carry the ghosts of our strategic failures too. Not for lack of firepower or bravery, but from a chronic allergy to thinking past Day One. That’s not on our troops—it’s on the suits. If we hit Iran, what happens on Day Two? Day Twenty? What fills the vacuum? What narrative takes hold in the region and online? If we don’t ask those questions now, we’ll be answering them with lives later.
Again—thank you for laying this out with seriousness and conviction. These are the kinds of conversations we need more of. I’m not just nodding along—I’m adding my voice to yours, with a few caution signs I’ve seen flash before. Keep writing. I enjoy your posts.
Thanks for an astonishingly articulate response to an amazingly cogent original post. THIS is what real political dialogue should look like: brilliant, well-informed, humane, and reflective. All I can say is ... whew ... Substack rocks! I think I needed this exchange as much for my knowledge on the subject as for the affirmation that social media can be more than a cess pool of narcissism, venting, and pernicious bots. Thank you.)
I’m told even substack will eventually succumb to enshitification—but until then—it rocks!
Gresham's Law expanded to the general. The bad ultimately drives out the good. Given that a fair number of substack writers requirement membership (payment) to post that may be a significant factor in preventing that from happening.
Sir, from your lips to god's ears.
This is exactly what we all need to be aware of. Thank you!
I've thought for a long time that Adam Kinzinger should be the next US President. I'll keep praying. He is always well informed, intelligent, fair, logical and so much more. Adam, America needs you badly.
Thank you:)
Hmm, while I respect you completely Adam, I disagree with American involvement in what could lead to a lengthy world crisis. Your assessment of Iran’s actual current strength may be correct, but you didn’t address what Iran could look like with unbridled support from other enemies, both regional to Iran and broader internationally, should America become involved. Slippery slope … and with this “current leadership” in place —
I see all potential for disaster.
Nothing is easy I assure you. I’m more just laying out what action could look like. But Iran has been supplying Russia and destabilizing the world for a long time
I’m fearful with the team in charge right now. And this could badly in so many ways
They said the Iraq war would be over real quick with shock and awe. That was wrong!
I respect you and your military service, Adam, but I view things differently.
The Iraq war should never have happened. We ignored the fact that Iraq did NOT have weapons of mass destruction. We were after their oil—Halliburton profited from the war.
Currently we are ignoring the fact that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons. WTF. Wars and killing hundreds of thousands of civilians in our shock and awe invasion as in Iraq, makes for more US enemies. We are too saber happy! And now with the Bully-in-Chief who knows where this will end!
Exactly and look at the massive refugee problem it caused.
And in 1953, the CIA overthrew the democratically elected leader of Iran because they stopped supplying oil to the UK. https://www.npr.org/2019/01/31/690363402/how-the-cia-overthrew-irans-democracy-in-four-days
https://www.npr.org/2019/01/31/690363402/how-the-cia-overthrew-irans-democracy-in-four-days
But we weren’t out of Irag in that amount of time. We didn’t have a plan . That’s what I meant.
I agree totally with this assessment
Thank you for your service Adam, in multiple arenas, and for this insightful article. Keep up the excellent work.
At times it’s hard to know what’s true and objective. You speak the truth with knowledge and objectivity. We need leadership like yours. Although it would be a difficult task to clean up what this current regime leaves behind, our country needs you! Please run for president!
>>"Instead, Trump reversed course"
Chicken TACO Trump always fails to rise to the office of the presidency with actual leadership. There are no good guys in the entire debacle but hopefully if the Iranian regime falls from the bombing campaign, it's not replaced with something worse. What's abundantly clear is this is another broken Trump promise. During his campaign his constant refrain was he was the No More Wars candidate. And the MAGAs bought the lies. Now Trump is trying to gaslight them into believing that he never made those promises. I guess TACO Trump has gone full 1984:
" we were not at war with Eastasia at all. We were in alliance with them. The war was against Eurasia. "
I wish you would look at Alexander Vindman’s recent interview on Substack. It’s not the interview , but a comment from Jason that was made on the 17th. I have been listening to different opinions from journalists and on different podcasts. Jason has shared what others were saying about Netanyahu accusing of Iran to make a nuclear bomb. He has been accusing them of this since 1992!! I have seen videos of him repeating this same conversation for years!! He ILLEGALLY attacked Iran!!! I wish you would also check out “Secular Talk” and see what Kyle Kulinski said about this. Many people see that Netanyahu WANTS the U.S. to get involved. Many have expressed that it is insane!!!! Yet you are looking at all the possibilities on how to go about this? Exactly what does Iran’s nuclear power compose of? Does it supply electricity to many areas? After all, nuclear power can do this!!! Netanyahu is a war criminal. To me, he can’t be trusted. Trumps track record for positive change to the U.S. sucks and he, as well as his Regime, are unfit!!! So what are we looking at here, Adam? Another war? Really? I truly thought you would agree on the insanity of it all!!!! I guess because of my interest in all this the algorithm has added podcasts that I have never seen. Please also check out Miko Peled. I once saw a documentary on Netanyahu. It showed how his father brought him and his brother to the United States. They grew up in the Bronx!! In New York!! His father hated Muslims and passed that onto his sons. Look what he is doing in Gaza? If you don’t think it is a genocide, think again. There is so much that I have learned about this in the past few months!! I would keep on writing, but I have to go!! If you can, also look up Abby Martin!!!!
Totally agree
The United States backed the Shah of Iran who was not a nice guy
True enough and we backed a lot of folks that weren't "nice guys" as long as it fit the power players perceived needs. It's that "yes he's an SOB but he's OUR SOB." :) How the world works.
I appreciate and value your input, Adam. Thank you.
Adam - thank you for the outline, but what say you about Congressional approval? He thinks he can make this decision unilaterally!
He would never ask for Congressional approval. He doesn't need it, since they support him in everything he does and asks for. There is no senate anymore. Most of them are just there to collect a paycheck and screw the American people and the USA.
Judy Cross, I would respectfully disagree, and ask that not all of Congress be painted with a broad brush. I'm in Illinois, and as examples of Democrats fighting this regime, we have Veteran Senator Tammy Duckworth (in a wheelchair because her plane was shot down in combat) along with House representatives Jan Schakowsky (retiring this year) and Brad Schneider--just to name a few. Even Senator Dick Durbin, also retiring, is finally stepping up. And I'm more proud than I can say that Illinois Governor Pritzker is speaking truth to power AND opening Illinois to those in need of reproductive services and so much else, as state government becomes more important than ever.
I know that there are some there doing their jobs, but, unfortunately, they are the minority. What I was really talking about was the republicans in the senate that are giving trump everything he wants and won't say no. Not all of them, either, but enough, so that they have the final word. It seems like most of them don't like our country and won't do the job that they were elected to do. If Mike Johnson, would speak out with the truth, we wouldn't be in this mess. Since I am 83, I do remember when Congress respected each other - they may not have liked each other, but they showed respect and worked together. Not like what it happening today. I have representatives that I try to contact about what is happening and hear nothing. Get a form text once in a great while, that has nothing to do with the issue and a letter from one telling me about all the great things he has done. Still nothing about my concerns. I agree, that state government is extremely important and I do believe that it has to start at the state level to have any impact in Washington. All states have to work together and I, personally, do not see that happening. I just wish this had never started and that we could blink our eyes and have it go away. I find it very scary where we are heading and will fight to not go there.
Judy Cross, thank you for clarifying. I'm 76 years old and totally agree! As one poster at a rally said, "I've been fighting since the 60s and I'm not giving up!" But this is evil such as we've never seen in our lifetimes or the life of our country. I'm fighting for my kids and grandchildren. I'm following the wisdom of my ancient Jewish rabbis: "It is not up to us to complete the task, neither are we free to desist from it." Republicans in Congress seem to be waking up to the consequences of Trump's BIg Horrible Bill, and maybe that will make a difference? Or maybe not, I don't know....but I DO know that you and I and Adam and millions of others will keep fighting, regardless! And resistance is growing.
I do agree that there are some republicans in Congress that are seeing some of the light, but when it comes time to vote will they do what's right. I some-times, wonder with nothing to back it up, if they and/or their families have been threatened in any way. What we have been seeing from them is not normal behavior for the job that they are doing. I know we will always have the haters, since that is what is produced out of the WH, but for so many to follow it and not resist is questioning. To me, it looks like too many of them can't make their own decisions. I find that strange in this day and age. I hope they are making their own decisions and are not being intimidated in any way. Intimidation does not belong in politics. Fairness, respect, talking across the aisle, gentlemanly hand shakes does.
Fairness, respect, talking across the aisle---that did happen back in the day, and perhaps it's still happening on the quieet. Our representative in the House, Brad Schneider, talks about bipartisan groups and votes and conversation across the aisle is still going on, but not out in the open, for fear of retaliatory MAGA and its followers. I just hope, and must act, toward the day when this whole slimy crew goes down the drain, so that honesty and integrity can be restored. Then Adam can run for President (I do find it hopeful that he's liking the comments that ask him to run!!)
Never have I read one of your letters that I disagree with more. I am sick and tired of our support for the war-mongers of Israel. Right now they are not satisfied with massacring starving Palestinians in Gaza as they try to get food and stealing Arab West Bank land (and killing any Arabs who try to stop them) for more illegal (internationally) settlements and occasionally attacking any targets they fear in almost any neighboring country, especially weak ones, and having the only NUCLEAR weapons in the Middle East. They are not satisfied because they think they can drag our idiot President into a war with Iran. Our history with Iran has been one of interference with their ambitions since the EARLY 1950's when we helped the British remove a democratically elected government to install our dictator, the Shah, who ran a government full of murderers and thugs while he kissed the asses of Western leaders.
The Iranians (Persians) were a proud people when the Jews of Israel were the slaves of the Egyptians and the future inhabitants of the US were ignorant peasants scattered all over the world. Yet we treat the Iranians as if they are the newcomer idiots on the block. We might want to rethink that. If we related to them as equals ....
Furthermore, I'd remind you that if we are dumb enough to start this war with Iran, you as a past soldier know, when the first punch is thrown all the smug plans go out the window. In this time of asymmetric warfare do you think the Iranians would be dumb enough to think they could fly across the Atlantic to attack us? I sure hope not. They know better ways. There are thousands of uninspected containers scattered all over the US, many forgotten in warehouses and back in wooded lots. Both the Ukrainians and Israelis used such containers to smuggle weapons into another country and later activated them. The Iranians may have already planted weapons here so our single strike on their country could be answered with attacks on oil refineries, nuclear generating stations, and other very valuable infrastructure in this country. There are thousands more uninspected containers on ships at our ports and at anchorages in places like Chesapeake Bay and offshore of many ports. The Iranians are a major source of the drones Russia is using and Russia is assisting them in modernizing them at every opportunity.
My suggestion is that we get off our high moral horse and tell Israel that they are the ones who started this and are on their own. Furthermore we stop feeding them the weapons they are using in their murdering of Palestinians. Have we no shame when it comes to our assistance in this genocide?