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.
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.
Where are these veterans going to get help for their PTSD since the VA has been drastically reduced and there is a shortage of mental health professionals. Most insurance does not cover mental health care.
My heart breaks for the veterans and their families.
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
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.
If Dems chose (which the overwhelming majority will not) this primary choice would explain how voters viewed their options and chose Drumpf. I would feel better about this not being a sign Dems are taking another step in that direction if he had aides specifically to help him keep on an even keel. Too much power or authority in the hands of a flawed vessel is an iffy proposition. But as you say, Mainers have seen the other option for too long.
Too some it may feel like the lesser of two evils again. I get it. However at this intersection in time choosing Collins one more time is in fact selecting the devil.
Yes, I realize that. I don’t live in Maine but I do recognize the symptoms from here in magalandia. This is the same thinking that led people to vote for Drumpf and others threw up their hands and stayed home. In several ways Collins reminds me of McConnell — although McConnell hasn’t had a personal touch or public presence in his district (not even by appointment) for many years if you weren’t key to his success. But he was at the nexus of decisions & ‘delivered’ to his network which was relayed to his constituents who feared losing the $$ that kept the communities afloat.
I’m not for purity tests and rejecting all candidates for any little thing. Platner’s issues went far beyond that & are the type that tend to reoccur. So far, he seems to have handled the pressures well in the campaign. He’s certainly well spoken in a sensible way that connects. DC is a different kind of environment. If he wins, left to his own devices, it could go well or on the flip side blow up into a disaster with collateral damage. If I was in Maine, I would want to know how he intends to prevent that.
My SIL served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 82nd Airborne. He has significant PTSD and blows up over small issues. I have only seen it once but my daughter has told us about it. Many times he skips family events. Trump was a five time draft dodger and thinks war is cool. He thinks it makes him look brave. Unless someone has served in a war they should not be able to make decisions about going to war.
Your compilation of “ifs” reminds me of the ditty: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, oh what a Christmas it would be! This unhinged mess of a man demonstrated for all to see on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” that he is unfit to be sitting in our Oval Office. The midterms and the ensuing next Session of Congress can’t come soon enough.
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.
Have you seen interviews of women voters? I saw another who when asked if anything that came out could make her vote for Collins instead. Her answer was basically if it was that bad “I would not vote.”
BTW my work background included over a decade of advocacy, policy & providing services related to violence against women. Juries with women are the least likely to believe &/or convict men for such charges.
Thanks Steven: Mr. Pete Hegseth was disgusting standing on the beach at Normandy ranting and raving about immigration. The beaches that men and women gave their last full measure of devotion so Pete could stand there in a democracy and possibly pay trubute to the 2500 Americans who bled on Omaha and 1000 Canadians who bled on Juno , but no he stood there spewing out his vomit. Now getting to Graham Platner, that is a tough one. A man who possibly suffered from PTSD, serving the nation, has a few flaws. I am no better than Graham, I also have flaws that I am cleaning up, it is a living process. Ms. Fifield complained about Platners actions yet she kept dating him for two or three years. Why?? I'm not going to justify any harms Platner is alleged to have done, but having myself broke up with a couple relationships, I did learn "Hell has no fury like a woman scorned" To possibly defeat Susan Collins I would vote for the devil. Just a couple of my thoughts.
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.
"The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous." - George Orwell
If only we had a real president….
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.
"War is war and hell is hell. And if you ask me, war is a lot worse." ~William Tecumseh Sherman
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.
Where are these veterans going to get help for their PTSD since the VA has been drastically reduced and there is a shortage of mental health professionals. Most insurance does not cover mental health care.
My heart breaks for the veterans and their families.
There aren't many families that haven't been impacted by war. Except, of course, the Trumps.
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
💙🇺🇸💙
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.
If Dems chose (which the overwhelming majority will not) this primary choice would explain how voters viewed their options and chose Drumpf. I would feel better about this not being a sign Dems are taking another step in that direction if he had aides specifically to help him keep on an even keel. Too much power or authority in the hands of a flawed vessel is an iffy proposition. But as you say, Mainers have seen the other option for too long.
Too some it may feel like the lesser of two evils again. I get it. However at this intersection in time choosing Collins one more time is in fact selecting the devil.
Yes, I realize that. I don’t live in Maine but I do recognize the symptoms from here in magalandia. This is the same thinking that led people to vote for Drumpf and others threw up their hands and stayed home. In several ways Collins reminds me of McConnell — although McConnell hasn’t had a personal touch or public presence in his district (not even by appointment) for many years if you weren’t key to his success. But he was at the nexus of decisions & ‘delivered’ to his network which was relayed to his constituents who feared losing the $$ that kept the communities afloat.
I’m not for purity tests and rejecting all candidates for any little thing. Platner’s issues went far beyond that & are the type that tend to reoccur. So far, he seems to have handled the pressures well in the campaign. He’s certainly well spoken in a sensible way that connects. DC is a different kind of environment. If he wins, left to his own devices, it could go well or on the flip side blow up into a disaster with collateral damage. If I was in Maine, I would want to know how he intends to prevent that.
My SIL served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 82nd Airborne. He has significant PTSD and blows up over small issues. I have only seen it once but my daughter has told us about it. Many times he skips family events. Trump was a five time draft dodger and thinks war is cool. He thinks it makes him look brave. Unless someone has served in a war they should not be able to make decisions about going to war.
Your compilation of “ifs” reminds me of the ditty: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, oh what a Christmas it would be! This unhinged mess of a man demonstrated for all to see on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” that he is unfit to be sitting in our Oval Office. The midterms and the ensuing next Session of Congress can’t come soon enough.
Absolutely correct!
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.
Have you seen interviews of women voters? I saw another who when asked if anything that came out could make her vote for Collins instead. Her answer was basically if it was that bad “I would not vote.”
BTW my work background included over a decade of advocacy, policy & providing services related to violence against women. Juries with women are the least likely to believe &/or convict men for such charges.
if we only had real people in government who would exercise their sworn duty...
Thanks Steven: Mr. Pete Hegseth was disgusting standing on the beach at Normandy ranting and raving about immigration. The beaches that men and women gave their last full measure of devotion so Pete could stand there in a democracy and possibly pay trubute to the 2500 Americans who bled on Omaha and 1000 Canadians who bled on Juno , but no he stood there spewing out his vomit. Now getting to Graham Platner, that is a tough one. A man who possibly suffered from PTSD, serving the nation, has a few flaws. I am no better than Graham, I also have flaws that I am cleaning up, it is a living process. Ms. Fifield complained about Platners actions yet she kept dating him for two or three years. Why?? I'm not going to justify any harms Platner is alleged to have done, but having myself broke up with a couple relationships, I did learn "Hell has no fury like a woman scorned" To possibly defeat Susan Collins I would vote for the devil. Just a couple of my thoughts.
You were doing well until you stepped into the ‘she kept dating him’ trap. An old refuge for men who need a defense.
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.
🙏❤️🩹🇺🇸🌎🌍🌏