The fact that he denied saying REPEATEDLY on the campaign trail that he would ‘keep us out of forever wars in the Middle East’ despite video evidence to the contrary is all you need to know about him. He cannot be trusted. He does not care that he cannot be trusted. When confronted with the proof that he cannot be trusted he trusts that his bullying will silence those that trusted him. You can trust that….and that alone.
If I had to synthesize, boil down, what Steven wrote about trump to two words, they would be “empathy” and “narcissism”. He has no empathy so he can’t think of what would happen to others by his actions. So if in attacking Iran service members get hurt or killed, eh, they signed up for it. Suckers and losers. His narcissism causes him to look inward. I will destroy Iran and be a conquering hero. I will be cheered by millions and feared. I will be financially enriched.
I live in New Hampshire and have friends in Maine. One in particular has very negative views of Platner. She feels he points to problems but doesn’t offer solutions. That being said, Collins has to go. She talks a good game at the outset but then falls in line. It is imperative that Democrats and independents take back the Senate. With apologies to my friend, the end justifies the means.
As you know well, the state/federal constitutional construct of our beloved Republic purposefully makes it hard for the government to do most things. The biggest exception arguably is the decision by the POTUS to use its nuclear ☢️ weapons.
America does not need Graham Platner in the United States Senate. Like Trump, he had behavior issues when a teen and like Trump was sent to Prep School/Military Academy. Both of these men have been derogatory to women and people with disabilities. Both are critical of police and yet endorse political violence. Both say one thing and do another. (Against Facism, but have a Nazi Tattoo) We do not need a Senator who is inexperienced and learning (at 40) to become a better man. Surely Maine has another Angus King we could promote instead of Susan Collins or Graham Platner. Susan Collins has been a disaster for America, but Graham Platner is not our Savior. Six years of Platner will do great harm to the Democratic Party. It is time Ro and Bernie and Elizabeth and all apologists for Platner rein in their endorsement and let Maine decide. A man who cannot keep his vows and denigrates any being is not worthy of being a Senator.
I don’t think the Democrats are reading the room, at least the one where women reside.
With a convicted sex offender in the White House and the Epstein files front and center, no time to fall on the sword explaining away Platner’s behavior.
I’m disgusted with the Democrats . Imagine if they had the courage to risk the Maine seat. Who knows how that decision might influence women across the country.
As is, they are just like the Republicans plus their track record on bright, shiny unknowns pretty shaky— i.e. Federman.
Amazing coverage; touching, because of war references, especially so close to the anniversary of D-Day; (💙🇺🇸)
Thought provoking over Platner.
And no, I can’t support him.
I am deeply sorry about his PTSD. And I have personal experience with my father, who did not resort to mistreating or worse - women.
I have been disgusted by the number of Republican elected members with similar history, and expressed that disgust; and can’t turn off my sadness over it.
To now support a man with similar behaviors is not possible, even with Susan Collins’s terrible decisions over and over.
We need a different candidate.
It brings me to the consideration of forgiveness.
I’m usually big on forgiveness, when it is accompanied by true sincere regret, and reparations are made, and the actions are not repeated.
Daily I write about Epstein victims on Twitter to keep the issues alive. I write about Trumps verbal abuse of women - and others.
Now, to support a man who has engaged thus - is to me hypocritical, and I think - impossible.
Look at Swalwell. We urged his resignation
—
On another issue: thank you for allowing readers to benefit from your experience and knowledge and to respond even though they may not be able to afford a subscription. You have a gift.
I do subscribe to you and others but some are unable. Your generosity in keeping your entire article open ( not cutting it off mid thought to non subscribers ) is philanthropic and special
PTSD is real and nobody no how can definitively profess its real impact on individuals. MH scars run deep, spread through the psyche widely, and can reach out beyond the person. Be supportive of any military and especially combat veteran. Find the good. Deal with the consequences of human frailty and fragility.
If only we had a real president….
"The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous." - George Orwell
"War is war and hell is hell. And if you ask me, war is a lot worse." ~William Tecumseh Sherman
The fact that he denied saying REPEATEDLY on the campaign trail that he would ‘keep us out of forever wars in the Middle East’ despite video evidence to the contrary is all you need to know about him. He cannot be trusted. He does not care that he cannot be trusted. When confronted with the proof that he cannot be trusted he trusts that his bullying will silence those that trusted him. You can trust that….and that alone.
If I had to synthesize, boil down, what Steven wrote about trump to two words, they would be “empathy” and “narcissism”. He has no empathy so he can’t think of what would happen to others by his actions. So if in attacking Iran service members get hurt or killed, eh, they signed up for it. Suckers and losers. His narcissism causes him to look inward. I will destroy Iran and be a conquering hero. I will be cheered by millions and feared. I will be financially enriched.
I live in New Hampshire and have friends in Maine. One in particular has very negative views of Platner. She feels he points to problems but doesn’t offer solutions. That being said, Collins has to go. She talks a good game at the outset but then falls in line. It is imperative that Democrats and independents take back the Senate. With apologies to my friend, the end justifies the means.
Excellent article Steven!
My Biggest Worry 😱
As you know well, the state/federal constitutional construct of our beloved Republic purposefully makes it hard for the government to do most things. The biggest exception arguably is the decision by the POTUS to use its nuclear ☢️ weapons.
🙏❤️🩹🇺🇸🌎🌍🌏
America does not need Graham Platner in the United States Senate. Like Trump, he had behavior issues when a teen and like Trump was sent to Prep School/Military Academy. Both of these men have been derogatory to women and people with disabilities. Both are critical of police and yet endorse political violence. Both say one thing and do another. (Against Facism, but have a Nazi Tattoo) We do not need a Senator who is inexperienced and learning (at 40) to become a better man. Surely Maine has another Angus King we could promote instead of Susan Collins or Graham Platner. Susan Collins has been a disaster for America, but Graham Platner is not our Savior. Six years of Platner will do great harm to the Democratic Party. It is time Ro and Bernie and Elizabeth and all apologists for Platner rein in their endorsement and let Maine decide. A man who cannot keep his vows and denigrates any being is not worthy of being a Senator.
I don’t think the Democrats are reading the room, at least the one where women reside.
With a convicted sex offender in the White House and the Epstein files front and center, no time to fall on the sword explaining away Platner’s behavior.
I’m disgusted with the Democrats . Imagine if they had the courage to risk the Maine seat. Who knows how that decision might influence women across the country.
As is, they are just like the Republicans plus their track record on bright, shiny unknowns pretty shaky— i.e. Federman.
Amazing coverage; touching, because of war references, especially so close to the anniversary of D-Day; (💙🇺🇸)
Thought provoking over Platner.
And no, I can’t support him.
I am deeply sorry about his PTSD. And I have personal experience with my father, who did not resort to mistreating or worse - women.
I have been disgusted by the number of Republican elected members with similar history, and expressed that disgust; and can’t turn off my sadness over it.
To now support a man with similar behaviors is not possible, even with Susan Collins’s terrible decisions over and over.
We need a different candidate.
It brings me to the consideration of forgiveness.
I’m usually big on forgiveness, when it is accompanied by true sincere regret, and reparations are made, and the actions are not repeated.
Daily I write about Epstein victims on Twitter to keep the issues alive. I write about Trumps verbal abuse of women - and others.
Now, to support a man who has engaged thus - is to me hypocritical, and I think - impossible.
Look at Swalwell. We urged his resignation
—
On another issue: thank you for allowing readers to benefit from your experience and knowledge and to respond even though they may not be able to afford a subscription. You have a gift.
I do subscribe to you and others but some are unable. Your generosity in keeping your entire article open ( not cutting it off mid thought to non subscribers ) is philanthropic and special
💙🇺🇸💙
Absolutely correct!
PTSD is real and nobody no how can definitively profess its real impact on individuals. MH scars run deep, spread through the psyche widely, and can reach out beyond the person. Be supportive of any military and especially combat veteran. Find the good. Deal with the consequences of human frailty and fragility.