Hazel is adorable. All puppies bite, it is part of their socialization to their new and curious surroundings. It is up to the owner to help them understand that some things are okay to bite and others are not. All of that is part of training. Kristi Noem’s story tells us so much about her. As you point out, she chose to share her story.. Why? Secondly in telling her story, she goes on to explain that the dog, still a puppy, was worthless as a hunting dog. Now I grew up among hunters, they had house dogs and they had hunting dogs, the hunting dogs were trained. There is discipline required to do this training. Noem reveals she has little ability for that. And thirdly, she will now be known as a puppy killer.
Now, I do not want to get too far off the rails here, but the ability to kill another living thing because your are too lazy or stupid to train it to be the animal you want it to be, is so telling about her character. I am of the Vietnam generation. I have friends that had to kill another person and it changes you. Even if that person was trying to kill you, you are different for the rest of your life. She killed an innocent happy little puppy. It chokes me up, brings me to tears. She should leave public consciousness forever and that would not be long enough. She will always be known as a “Puppy Killer!”
Noem’s story was to prove that cruelty is the point. I worry about her treatment of people as serial killers often start with injury to animals. She also killed a goat the same day as Cricket. She is a disgrace.
And the bad thing about killing the goat was that she killed it just for being what it was; an uncastrated, male goat. She shot him just for being himself. Seems to me she could do the same thing to a human she didn’t like-just because.
When my best friend reminded me of the story of Noem's goat yesterday, I said, "Oh, so that's why she told the story, to let everybody know she's be willing to drag TRUMP out to the gravel pit if he didn't behave!" 😈
She apparently wants to own the libs so bad she’s claiming this is normal ‘down on the farm’. Must have missed the memo on such male goats smelling bad.
Is it the point of the Presidency now? Is it supposed to warn us that it will be the tip of the spear in a DJT presidency? Is cruelty what will bring everyone in positions of responsibility to blindly follow everything that is contrary to what we know to be right and just and true…for the sake of power?
I’m surprised that each of her kids survived babyhood, the terrible 2s and everything else that kids go through until they mature, even though I use the term survived pretty loosely.
Steven: Loved every word in your message today. Joe Biden was re-elected to the Senate and served the state of Delaware for 36 years. His constituents thought he was a decent man and returned him to D.C. for all these many years. He then served as our Vice President for eight years and now four more as our President. He is not only long-serving, but the most experienced person for this job. His age is an accumulation of a competent, accomplished, and seasoned public servant. I am confident that he will be sleeping in the White House for a second term.
His opponent is hell-bent on presenting our entire nation to Vladimir Putin on a silver serving tray. The actions of SCOTUS this past week proved that he has made colossal progress in that direction. He now wants absolute immunity so his crimes are not enforceable. He has been convicted in civil court of FRAUD and RAPE, and is facing 91 criminal charges.
I lived in Moscow during most of his trips to Russia which began in 1987, and my daughter Lize managed the Beverly Hills night club, casino, and restaurant. She relayed to me his obscene, vulgar, and crude behavior when he visited. His photo was splashed all over local media.
Donald Trump is not a decent "family man" and it is a source of amazement that Christians in many red states believe his FAKE and deceptive solicitations. He is NOT one of them, he does not attend church, and most likely has never read a Bible. And as the whole world has seen in the "Hush Money" scheme, he regularly offers to exchange money for sex and visa versa paying for silence to cover-up his immoral activities.
Putin is telling the whole world that Trump will win this upcoming election. I am sure that the Russian interference will be twice as effective as it was in previous elections. and I have no idea if our security organizations have learned to counter Russia's cyber attacks. I am hopeful but also weary of the daily Trump improprieties, cover-ups, and treasonous behavior.
This was a horrifying story. As a veterinarian in a rural area, I'd had owners with unfixable animals ask why they should pay for sedation and euthanasia when they could just shoot them for $1.
I'd reply, "Because that is not humane." I never had anyone in that circumstance refuse after that.
This was always the hardest and saddest part of my job, and not one to which any of us in the field ever became accustomed. We did offer an end to suffering in a quiet, peaceful manner for both the animal and the humans. But it takes its toll on your heart.
How this woman could do this to the puppy and the goat is beyond my understanding, as was her rationale for telling this horrible story. And what did she tell her daughter when she asked about the puppy: "Behave, or else"?
Everything seems so upside down and inside out now. It is clear that cruelty feeds this MAGA movement. This is not the Tea Party movement of the Obama years. This is an autocratic movement with all the earmarks of the 1930s, as has been mentioned by many informed leaders who are sounding the alarm now. We have been warned that history is rhyming in an alarming fashion with those times, but I have questions (for the record, I always do). Kristi Noem has aptly demonstrated an alarming level of cruelty, ostensibly to appeal to the Master of Cruelty, DJT. Heretofore, his cruel state of mind has preceded a predictable routine of mocking his enemies, lying, and dog-whistling to his supporters to do his bidding. What does this Kristi Noem ‘At’ mean for the country? What does it mean that she willingly and proudly has demonstrated that she would kill any creature that gets in her way or is an inconvenience to her…to someone or something who ‘gets in her way’, suffering be damned.
I knew someone who had a a verbally cruel and abusive husband. He would employ every emotionally abusive tactic. I asked a therapist about it, who said, “It’s a short distance from verbal to physical abuse.” Is this where we are? Are MAGA leaders becoming akin to the ‘brown shirts’ of decades past? Is a short trip from ‘othering’ or desensitization in store for us if Trump is elected? He won’t dirty his hands, but will he expect his followers and loyal henchmen to do the deeds he will not do himself? At what level will these unholy and cruel actual deeds take place and what might they be? Is that what the Presidency has come to mean? What will the Supreme Court say about this? Will they unleash the “dogs of war” on all of us? What, if anything, will differentiate our autocracy from N. Korea or Russia?
It seems to me that Republicans who are supporting Trump for President need to consider these questions along with the rest of us. We deserve real and concrete answers as to what awaits. Otherwise, we could be looking up from a metaphorical or literal gravel pit at someone who is willing to do anything to earn a portion of the power that looks so delicious.
I think a couple things. She’s advertising that she’s willing to be his accomplice and signaling a willingness to go further than her competition. She’s escalated the game from playing with firearms and conspiracy theories to revenge and bloodshed. “I hated that ...” The message I receive is she has no limits; certainly not the threats to execute. (We already knew she had no scruples.)
Noem had to know there would be a backlash. It would not surprise me if she had her “down on the farm” excuse ready. She also knew Donnie doesn’t like dogs. He describes adversaries; terrorists and people he mocks to dogs. The Root compiled a list.
(Side note — Rachel Maddow spent a segment of her show last night on candidates the GOP is selecting to run for office, particularly the Senate, who are not from their state or in other ways lie about their background. Another claims to have come ‘from nothing’ with schoolteacher parents on a farm. (His dad was a chancellor - they lived in the ‘mansion’ on the university. Then his father moved up to a state position over ed. On and on it goes. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/republicans-assemble-oddly-insulting-set-of-2024-candidates-with-senate-control-on-the-line-209943621924)
I’m not a therapist but in my work on trauma, abuse, etc. we tried to figure out what policies needed change. To do that, I have enough ‘hours’ for a degree. During those trainings skeptics made comments. In a discussion about threat assessments & not ignoring threats, someone responded to the trainer with stats. Stats about how the number of people killed after threats (not those harmed) is very small compared to the number of threats reported. A “s/he says that all the time” argument.
The trainer did not agree. One key piece applies here: For some threats are like rehearsals. Repetition, a weapon, level of detail & specificity re: the target are some indicators used in certain kinds of threat assessments - especially in the workplace. Assessments treat the aggressor & the target as having equal legal rights. I believe DJT would score at a very high level even if that issue was taken out of the equation. So would his sycophants.
This is very informative, Ann… and clarifies the broad statement that was made to me. Thank you. I agree with your assessment that all bets are off where DJT is concerned. Illiberal forces are again at work and are growing. We need balanced Republicans who are in favor of liberal democracy to vote for Biden in November!
As I mentally revisit some training materials … Your garden variety domestic abuser and most other perps, do not have an uncontrolled anger problem. Anger Management used to be (and still can be) the go-to for judges. It is not effective. Their behavior is about power and control. The perps select their targets. They have a plan or pattern of behavior that works for them. It is adjusted / escalated over time. They also manipulate family, friends and co-workers, even the victim’s support network charming or frightening them to coerce & isolate the victim. (See the GOP dissenters … see how they ran away)
For all these reasons and more, I call Donnie a perp. And now I must go back into retirement mode!
Thanks for including Colin Jost’s quote about Joe Biden’s character, since I didn’t get to see him say it. Character matters. It’s hard to believe that even has to be said, isn’t it?
OMG That Puppy - so sweet - Noem is a sociopath, how was she elected to the governorship of a US State! What the hell is wrong with the people of North Dakota!! Decency is something that is missing in the MAGA movement, that's for sure
I can find absolutely nothing decent in the MAGA movement or any of the people who participate in their rise to power. I love people and animals but there is a point where I find some individuals beyond tolerable. Those who kill defenseless animals or malign individuals with hateful rhetoric are among the most despicable people on earth. Reading this piece this morning filled me with disgust and fear for our great land and its people should the MAGA GANG prevail. I will now to go out in my garden, pet my animals, feed and talk to my hens, hoping to calm down. I find that counting the blessings that we still enjoy in America today is a way to become centered again. Go forth and shine!
I struggled with this idea of judging a President or candidate based on character during the Clinton administration. Republicans were arguing then that Bill’s smoking weed in college (and the fib he didn’t inhale) plus his extramarital affairs (and lying about it) demonstrated his character was unfit for the office. I didn’t care what an official does in his private life, but I did care about character. Clinton wasn’t a monster. He wasn’t a great president but he respected democratic norms. When it’s their man, whether Trump or a nominee for SCOTUS, they don’t want to talk about character. Unlike the Clinton accusations, Trump’s sex life isn’t the subject of his current trial, it’s his attempt to subvert democracy. One positive is that their extremism has brought clarity to what was once ambiguous. Yes, character matters.
I had a surge of hope thinking about how character not only should matter; it will matter.
Then I read about Bill Barr's interview on CNN where despite Barr's acknowledgment of Trump's role in the insurrection and fundamentally flawed character that Barr would still vote for Trump.
We have to overwhelm the Bill Barrs of the world and vote for decency.
My mother who spent her life helping and serving family, was described by her brother in his memoir, by only one line, "My sister Nina was an unforgettable character." Given the amount of energy she spent trying to help him I was shocked. I asked him, "Do you mean my mothers had character, or was a character." He was stumped.
These trumpers you describe, Steven, are caricatures of human beings... not fully developed. Stumped about how life works.
my dog, Benny the Jet Rodriguez, was a biter - fear aggressive - he bit his first vet when he was three months old... he was a little dog - my life changed with him, I never had people over, i moved to where he had a place to run around cuz I couldn't take him for walks, and only one person had the guts to dog sit him when I traveled. I think if I took him to the pound no one would want him but it never crossed my mind he wasn't the dog for me - not in the almost 17 years we were together - May 4th will be a year since his passing - I will always miss him... he taught me unconditional love and I chose to learn- not hate... thanks for listening
Hazel is adorable. All puppies bite, it is part of their socialization to their new and curious surroundings. It is up to the owner to help them understand that some things are okay to bite and others are not. All of that is part of training. Kristi Noem’s story tells us so much about her. As you point out, she chose to share her story.. Why? Secondly in telling her story, she goes on to explain that the dog, still a puppy, was worthless as a hunting dog. Now I grew up among hunters, they had house dogs and they had hunting dogs, the hunting dogs were trained. There is discipline required to do this training. Noem reveals she has little ability for that. And thirdly, she will now be known as a puppy killer.
Now, I do not want to get too far off the rails here, but the ability to kill another living thing because your are too lazy or stupid to train it to be the animal you want it to be, is so telling about her character. I am of the Vietnam generation. I have friends that had to kill another person and it changes you. Even if that person was trying to kill you, you are different for the rest of your life. She killed an innocent happy little puppy. It chokes me up, brings me to tears. She should leave public consciousness forever and that would not be long enough. She will always be known as a “Puppy Killer!”
Noem’s story was to prove that cruelty is the point. I worry about her treatment of people as serial killers often start with injury to animals. She also killed a goat the same day as Cricket. She is a disgrace.
And the bad thing about killing the goat was that she killed it just for being what it was; an uncastrated, male goat. She shot him just for being himself. Seems to me she could do the same thing to a human she didn’t like-just because.
When my best friend reminded me of the story of Noem's goat yesterday, I said, "Oh, so that's why she told the story, to let everybody know she's be willing to drag TRUMP out to the gravel pit if he didn't behave!" 😈
She apparently wants to own the libs so bad she’s claiming this is normal ‘down on the farm’. Must have missed the memo on such male goats smelling bad.
Is it the point of the Presidency now? Is it supposed to warn us that it will be the tip of the spear in a DJT presidency? Is cruelty what will bring everyone in positions of responsibility to blindly follow everything that is contrary to what we know to be right and just and true…for the sake of power?
I’m surprised that each of her kids survived babyhood, the terrible 2s and everything else that kids go through until they mature, even though I use the term survived pretty loosely.
Steven: Loved every word in your message today. Joe Biden was re-elected to the Senate and served the state of Delaware for 36 years. His constituents thought he was a decent man and returned him to D.C. for all these many years. He then served as our Vice President for eight years and now four more as our President. He is not only long-serving, but the most experienced person for this job. His age is an accumulation of a competent, accomplished, and seasoned public servant. I am confident that he will be sleeping in the White House for a second term.
His opponent is hell-bent on presenting our entire nation to Vladimir Putin on a silver serving tray. The actions of SCOTUS this past week proved that he has made colossal progress in that direction. He now wants absolute immunity so his crimes are not enforceable. He has been convicted in civil court of FRAUD and RAPE, and is facing 91 criminal charges.
I lived in Moscow during most of his trips to Russia which began in 1987, and my daughter Lize managed the Beverly Hills night club, casino, and restaurant. She relayed to me his obscene, vulgar, and crude behavior when he visited. His photo was splashed all over local media.
Donald Trump is not a decent "family man" and it is a source of amazement that Christians in many red states believe his FAKE and deceptive solicitations. He is NOT one of them, he does not attend church, and most likely has never read a Bible. And as the whole world has seen in the "Hush Money" scheme, he regularly offers to exchange money for sex and visa versa paying for silence to cover-up his immoral activities.
Putin is telling the whole world that Trump will win this upcoming election. I am sure that the Russian interference will be twice as effective as it was in previous elections. and I have no idea if our security organizations have learned to counter Russia's cyber attacks. I am hopeful but also weary of the daily Trump improprieties, cover-ups, and treasonous behavior.
MAGAs are descending ever deeper into the circles of hell.
And want us all to go with them. :-(
Indeed
Forget the circles they’re in the sub basement now and digging hasn’t stopped
They’ll probably add a 10th circle before they’re finished.
I think how people act towards animals pretty much defines all else about them. I trust my dog’s opinions of people.
This was a horrifying story. As a veterinarian in a rural area, I'd had owners with unfixable animals ask why they should pay for sedation and euthanasia when they could just shoot them for $1.
I'd reply, "Because that is not humane." I never had anyone in that circumstance refuse after that.
This was always the hardest and saddest part of my job, and not one to which any of us in the field ever became accustomed. We did offer an end to suffering in a quiet, peaceful manner for both the animal and the humans. But it takes its toll on your heart.
How this woman could do this to the puppy and the goat is beyond my understanding, as was her rationale for telling this horrible story. And what did she tell her daughter when she asked about the puppy: "Behave, or else"?
Everything seems so upside down and inside out now. It is clear that cruelty feeds this MAGA movement. This is not the Tea Party movement of the Obama years. This is an autocratic movement with all the earmarks of the 1930s, as has been mentioned by many informed leaders who are sounding the alarm now. We have been warned that history is rhyming in an alarming fashion with those times, but I have questions (for the record, I always do). Kristi Noem has aptly demonstrated an alarming level of cruelty, ostensibly to appeal to the Master of Cruelty, DJT. Heretofore, his cruel state of mind has preceded a predictable routine of mocking his enemies, lying, and dog-whistling to his supporters to do his bidding. What does this Kristi Noem ‘At’ mean for the country? What does it mean that she willingly and proudly has demonstrated that she would kill any creature that gets in her way or is an inconvenience to her…to someone or something who ‘gets in her way’, suffering be damned.
I knew someone who had a a verbally cruel and abusive husband. He would employ every emotionally abusive tactic. I asked a therapist about it, who said, “It’s a short distance from verbal to physical abuse.” Is this where we are? Are MAGA leaders becoming akin to the ‘brown shirts’ of decades past? Is a short trip from ‘othering’ or desensitization in store for us if Trump is elected? He won’t dirty his hands, but will he expect his followers and loyal henchmen to do the deeds he will not do himself? At what level will these unholy and cruel actual deeds take place and what might they be? Is that what the Presidency has come to mean? What will the Supreme Court say about this? Will they unleash the “dogs of war” on all of us? What, if anything, will differentiate our autocracy from N. Korea or Russia?
It seems to me that Republicans who are supporting Trump for President need to consider these questions along with the rest of us. We deserve real and concrete answers as to what awaits. Otherwise, we could be looking up from a metaphorical or literal gravel pit at someone who is willing to do anything to earn a portion of the power that looks so delicious.
Sorry for the typo…What does this Kristi Noem attention seeking mean for the country?
I think a couple things. She’s advertising that she’s willing to be his accomplice and signaling a willingness to go further than her competition. She’s escalated the game from playing with firearms and conspiracy theories to revenge and bloodshed. “I hated that ...” The message I receive is she has no limits; certainly not the threats to execute. (We already knew she had no scruples.)
Noem had to know there would be a backlash. It would not surprise me if she had her “down on the farm” excuse ready. She also knew Donnie doesn’t like dogs. He describes adversaries; terrorists and people he mocks to dogs. The Root compiled a list.
https://www.theroot.com/the-complete-list-of-people-trump-has-called-a-dog-on-t-1828368147
(Side note — Rachel Maddow spent a segment of her show last night on candidates the GOP is selecting to run for office, particularly the Senate, who are not from their state or in other ways lie about their background. Another claims to have come ‘from nothing’ with schoolteacher parents on a farm. (His dad was a chancellor - they lived in the ‘mansion’ on the university. Then his father moved up to a state position over ed. On and on it goes. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/republicans-assemble-oddly-insulting-set-of-2024-candidates-with-senate-control-on-the-line-209943621924)
I’m not a therapist but in my work on trauma, abuse, etc. we tried to figure out what policies needed change. To do that, I have enough ‘hours’ for a degree. During those trainings skeptics made comments. In a discussion about threat assessments & not ignoring threats, someone responded to the trainer with stats. Stats about how the number of people killed after threats (not those harmed) is very small compared to the number of threats reported. A “s/he says that all the time” argument.
The trainer did not agree. One key piece applies here: For some threats are like rehearsals. Repetition, a weapon, level of detail & specificity re: the target are some indicators used in certain kinds of threat assessments - especially in the workplace. Assessments treat the aggressor & the target as having equal legal rights. I believe DJT would score at a very high level even if that issue was taken out of the equation. So would his sycophants.
This is very informative, Ann… and clarifies the broad statement that was made to me. Thank you. I agree with your assessment that all bets are off where DJT is concerned. Illiberal forces are again at work and are growing. We need balanced Republicans who are in favor of liberal democracy to vote for Biden in November!
As I mentally revisit some training materials … Your garden variety domestic abuser and most other perps, do not have an uncontrolled anger problem. Anger Management used to be (and still can be) the go-to for judges. It is not effective. Their behavior is about power and control. The perps select their targets. They have a plan or pattern of behavior that works for them. It is adjusted / escalated over time. They also manipulate family, friends and co-workers, even the victim’s support network charming or frightening them to coerce & isolate the victim. (See the GOP dissenters … see how they ran away)
For all these reasons and more, I call Donnie a perp. And now I must go back into retirement mode!
❤️Hazel! Decency, yes, please! It’s why I voted for Biden in 2020, even before I knew what a terrific a President he’d be.
Thanks for including Colin Jost’s quote about Joe Biden’s character, since I didn’t get to see him say it. Character matters. It’s hard to believe that even has to be said, isn’t it?
OMG That Puppy - so sweet - Noem is a sociopath, how was she elected to the governorship of a US State! What the hell is wrong with the people of North Dakota!! Decency is something that is missing in the MAGA movement, that's for sure
I can find absolutely nothing decent in the MAGA movement or any of the people who participate in their rise to power. I love people and animals but there is a point where I find some individuals beyond tolerable. Those who kill defenseless animals or malign individuals with hateful rhetoric are among the most despicable people on earth. Reading this piece this morning filled me with disgust and fear for our great land and its people should the MAGA GANG prevail. I will now to go out in my garden, pet my animals, feed and talk to my hens, hoping to calm down. I find that counting the blessings that we still enjoy in America today is a way to become centered again. Go forth and shine!
Thank you Steven. You really touch at the heart of President Biden’s decency and Trump, Noem’s and most of the GOP and MAGA’s indecency and cruelty.
I struggled with this idea of judging a President or candidate based on character during the Clinton administration. Republicans were arguing then that Bill’s smoking weed in college (and the fib he didn’t inhale) plus his extramarital affairs (and lying about it) demonstrated his character was unfit for the office. I didn’t care what an official does in his private life, but I did care about character. Clinton wasn’t a monster. He wasn’t a great president but he respected democratic norms. When it’s their man, whether Trump or a nominee for SCOTUS, they don’t want to talk about character. Unlike the Clinton accusations, Trump’s sex life isn’t the subject of his current trial, it’s his attempt to subvert democracy. One positive is that their extremism has brought clarity to what was once ambiguous. Yes, character matters.
I had a surge of hope thinking about how character not only should matter; it will matter.
Then I read about Bill Barr's interview on CNN where despite Barr's acknowledgment of Trump's role in the insurrection and fundamentally flawed character that Barr would still vote for Trump.
We have to overwhelm the Bill Barrs of the world and vote for decency.
Bill Barr—an immoral man of low character who cares more about power than justice or decency.
My mother who spent her life helping and serving family, was described by her brother in his memoir, by only one line, "My sister Nina was an unforgettable character." Given the amount of energy she spent trying to help him I was shocked. I asked him, "Do you mean my mothers had character, or was a character." He was stumped.
These trumpers you describe, Steven, are caricatures of human beings... not fully developed. Stumped about how life works.
my dog, Benny the Jet Rodriguez, was a biter - fear aggressive - he bit his first vet when he was three months old... he was a little dog - my life changed with him, I never had people over, i moved to where he had a place to run around cuz I couldn't take him for walks, and only one person had the guts to dog sit him when I traveled. I think if I took him to the pound no one would want him but it never crossed my mind he wasn't the dog for me - not in the almost 17 years we were together - May 4th will be a year since his passing - I will always miss him... he taught me unconditional love and I chose to learn- not hate... thanks for listening