136 Comments
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Mary C. Sadler's avatar

I write my comment to you as a single retired woman with an entire lifetime of public service. I am a retired flight attendant with a major airline. I live in ATL where we have been ground zero for the traitorous stealing the 2020 election operation against the state of Georgia. I am also writing a book a memoir. It is filled with my experiences with being anti Trump for nine years. I wrote for seven years in a postcard group. We made a big difference. We lived thru covid which I had early on. I am 75 years old. Will the madness stop when I am 79? How will I handle losing social security benefits and Medicare benefits at my age. I am single as I said and have been fortunate so far to live comfortably but it hinges on social security and Medicare and it does for 72 million of us. We were the sacrificial lambs in covid. I was 70 that year and living in a red state and encouraged to go ahead and die to give my benefits to someone else that I worked 42 years for. You cannot get anymore creative than I am to see a path forward through the ugliness and cruelty to follow. I will offer this read on audible. Write a blog to your friends or write a journal but write. Write comments on all the platforms you follow. Exercise. Eat right. Sleep enough. Do not abuse substances for comfort. Meditate. Do yoga. Hug a tree. I will close by saying the human spirit cannot be killed.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

I am 84, and have joined a resistance movement. Go to WeAreWorthFightingFor.org.

I joined a mass call that included Jamie Raskin. There is something even I can contribute.

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kdsherpa's avatar

Just googled it, and it looks terrific. I wanted to "sign up" but didn't see anywhere to do so. Any suggestions?

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

Text “mass call” to 30403. You will get more information.

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Mary C. Sadler's avatar

You are awesome. As we age it is hard to feel relevant.

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PowerCorrupts's avatar

❤️Mary❤️:"...write...write...write..."

Do you know anyone to join our Focus Group on reversing science denial with our continued legal successes?

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Lyn Fenex's avatar

I have taken my campaign contributions and reallocated them to Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. So much is broken in me that I feel overwhelmed.

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Eric S K's avatar

I think contributing more to existing advocacy groups is probably more effective in the short run than trying to create new ones right now. Some will be born as a backlash to extreme policies and actions, such as “Black Lives Matter.”

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PowerCorrupts's avatar

❤️Thanks to Steve for "America, America"❤️

1. Humans suck at empathy(we assume we know what words mean and we don't... aka science denial)...aka no American has googled "science of" anxiety, depression, anger, etc. due to false confidence..THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT MAGA VOTERS ARE FEELING

2. Tribalism blocks rationality... fixing anxiety is (painful? and) quick, but we ignore that and try to heal relationships(science finds ~half these are unfixable... aka we're chasing our tail)

3. ❤️mediation❤️ succeeds 80%... stigma against suing is at 200%("Hot Coffee" documentary❤️): https://youtu.be/psebm9RJDvU?t=4941

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PowerCorrupts's avatar

Click ❤️ to join our Focus Group on reversing science denial with our continued legal successes

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Katharine Hill's avatar

For those of us who marched in the 60’s, we know the drill. Thanks for reminding us to follow our stars, even if it requires a cane now.

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David Epler's avatar

Yeah, a cane and a GPS, if I remember how to use the damn thing!!! As Joyce V says, "we are all on this together". Keep on truckin

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Al Bellenchia's avatar

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."

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Judy CZUBATI's avatar

There is a lot of rip tide here in Florida.

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Al Bellenchia's avatar

Everywhere

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gpm414's avatar

I will never stop living my life with character and decency, it's who I am. And I will never stop calling out people who don't. America is worth fighting for and saving. Find your way...we have just begun to fight.

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Kathryn Clancy's avatar

Thank you for your message of hope.

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gpm414's avatar

We are in this together. Democracy will die in darkness and silence.

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Phil Kuhn's avatar

Of course, WaPo ought to take that "logo" off their paper and screens after bending the knee to iDJiT even before he asked.

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James M. Coyle's avatar

And it is they who have been contributing to the growing darkness

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

Please see my comment above.

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Claire's avatar

I have diverted former campaign contributions to World Central Kitchen, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and my local Humane Society. At 72, I have been fighting for human rights and women’s rights all my life. It seems I will be fighting until the end of my life but am not giving up. No rest for the weary.

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Kathy M.'s avatar

I've been so withdrawn and empty it's hard. Shutdown for now. Know it's not right, but need to process so I can come out on the other side better.

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Laura's avatar

It’s ok I’m in the same boat. I go from sad to angry to scared to driven so fast my mind can’t keep up! Grief is a process and there are phases. Some need more time than others and there is nothing wrong with that! Eventually anger and determination will take over and we will fight along side our fellow Americans because we will have no choice! I’m with you my friend…to the future! 🫶🏻💜🇺🇸

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Janet HB's avatar

It takes me all day to get to a better place. Then I wake up the next morning and have to go through it all again.

This community and the communities we’ve found here have really helped. And watching Disney animated classic movies!

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Laura's avatar

I’m watching the “Flash” on Netflix…again! 😊

And doom scrolling in between. The only way we can possibly get through this is by building communities of like-minded individuals who can support one another. Follow some brave independent journalists that you trust to bring you the truth about any new information because MSM can no longer be trusted. I see you, my friend. 🫶🏻🌹

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Brent Abrahamson's avatar

Some wonderful suggestions! Still I have to ask: Is it possible for New England to secede and form its own country? Then WE can build a wall. Alternatively, perhaps we can put ourselves up for adoption by Canada, eh? 😀

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Jessie S.'s avatar

The problem with that is having no military of our own to defeat these Nazis, no protections. I live in both California and New England and I’d LOVE to secede - on ether side - from this hellhole of absolute morons. I wish we could. I really, really do.

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Brent Abrahamson's avatar

Believe me, Jessie. I hear you. I live in Massachusetts.

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Jessie S.'s avatar

I’m in Maine. Used to live in Boston, though, as well as Western Mass (Northampton). I love it there. I’m in California most of the time (work) and I’m so glad I’m in these places and not Florida (where I lived for 5 years). But still…this is a lot and I’m terrified right now. Absolutely terrified.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

If we are honest, we are all terrified, but we can practice some self care, rest, and then come back and aid in the fight to save democracy. There will be a role for everyone who wants to help.

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Maureen O'Malley's avatar

I'm FROM New England, and NE has always been a part of me. Makes it harder to comprehend the moronic state of the country.

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Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

Then get the West Coast to follow, merge CA, OR and WA. I love Vancouver. And just from inheriting California, they’d acquire the world’s fifth largest economy. The concept never occurred to me, it’s delightful to think it through. Maybe they could invade with RCMP on horseback.

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Brent Abrahamson's avatar

I have thought of that, Randy. We can pin them in on both sides. Some might try heading north but , depending on where they start from, they could run smack into our outpost in Colorado. And if they get past them, the patriots of Minnesota and Illinois will take him. “🎶You say you want a Revolution?🎶

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Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

“Don’t ya know it’s gonna be.. Alright!” I sure fucking hope so.

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Janet HB's avatar

I’ve sometimes wondered, if we would have been better off to just have let the south go in 1860. But of course, that would have left slavery which of course we don’t want. But that southern doctrine has been a constant source of contention since the earliest colonial days. Just one of those crazy “ what if’s” of history.

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Victoria T's avatar

Thank you as always Steven. I must say that I am a Substack Junkie! I have several authors who I faithfully follow daily for my inspiration and hope. You and others are my sources for news. What I am finding from all of you today is the common thread of the need to not give up, to not be afraid and to be a part in the fight to regain /retain our democracy, to fight for the issues that we most value, and there are so many being threatened with the MAGA administration. I have benefited from a great life living in America and I want that to be the same for my children and for my grandchildren. I also want a good life for immigrants who have risked their lives to come to the “land of the free, home of the brave”. America is a country worth fighting for and I am in for the fight!

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W. R. Dunn's avatar

When Hitler transformed Germany’s legal system in the first few months of his chancellorship, he moved faster than he expected he could, because of passive acquiescence by the German people.

Americans will likely be unable to stop all the lawlessness that will ensue from this election, but effective resistance by citizens will be key to limiting the damage done to our democracy and to our society.

Thank you for encouraging us all to think about ways we can resist lawless abuse of power and contribute to a brighter future, even as we enter this dark era that American voters have inflicted on us all, both those who voted and those who failed to vote.

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Banyan's avatar

And even after he took power, the world allowed themselves to be reassured when Hitler gave his "Peace" speech, less than a year before he began Germany's military buildup. He expected to be sanctioned or attacked but he wasn't, because everyone so wanted to believe he would not do what he had been saying he would do.

Believe Trump, Bannon, and the rest. Support the push back against their aggressive, anti-American moves. Don't let yourself be gaslit by the lies.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

Yes, and hitler didn’t have a campaign manager as Chief of Staff. That move makes me wonder if the first half of the term will be designed with eyes on the mid-term elections. A few noisy in your face things but more, quietly in the background.

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Socratez's avatar

We have, indeed, given too much space in our heads to Trump! The scumbag doesn’t deserve any space!

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Ginger's avatar

I'm not ready yet. Too much to get my head around. This isn't a Nixon betrayal this is a fascist moving in. We did not have the guardrails to stop this and now we need to clean up the mess. I still have one question which I have spent all morning posting everywhere to the point I am blocked from X, no loss, my mental health may improve. Here it is and I may have posted it earlier so apologies:

Someone please explain this voting marvel: "down ticket BLUE w/red at top".. doesn't make sense. how do we start to get an answer when it appears women/fathers/husbands vote for abortion access and all the other blue issues & blue politicians running in their state and then vote for the "your body my choice" RED guy? PLEASE why/how did they nullify the blue check with a red check.

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Paula B.'s avatar

Ginger, I have read about a phenomenon in which people don't like Congress in general but seem to approve of their representatives. This might be what's happening here. I would also suggest that many people don't believe Trump would really do the things he's saying he would do. A woman I know--a Democrat--seems to think he's joking when he says outrageous things. It really is hard to believe that anyone could be so awful. It takes a strong stomach to admit that he's dead serious and that cruel.

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Ginger's avatar

It's truly sad to think people don't believe he is that cruel... Covid was real... hurricanes were real ... he will do anything to stay out of prison .... he's got the money & Elon to get it fixed and he is very quiet now which is atypical for his ego... I will come round but not quite yet I'm looking for answers one way or the other..

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Paula B.'s avatar

I agree. We're all looking for answers and so far, I don't believe most of the ones people are offering.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

First of all, he offers 0 proof. Not even what states. Almost any of us could write a bio like that and create a big long thread. I think he hasn’t shown a very strong case.

Let’s consider the typical process for verifying vote counts. States and local officials know how many people have ballots by mail & how many are returned to them.

They know how many people receive ballots in person and how many votes are cast. Those numbers are matched against the voters who signed in at their polling places.

All those counts are cross checked for discrepancies.

Then states audit things that look weird, don’t balance & conduct audits according to state laws. Our state randomly audits a % of smaller counties regardless of totals / results & always precincts in urban counties. The hacker fella calls it the “stupid easy” way to prove a hack. It finds other issues also.

His comparison to putting tracking into credit card machines which “the retailer was in on”. This does not explain how there would be widespread access to voting tabulators for hacking across multiple states. The machines are not stored willy nilly. Officials have been prosecuted for allowing unauthorized access to voting machines. https://apnews.com/article/tina-peters-colorado-clerk-election-vote-fraud-b456ce4f80dc97f4b967eb6297311a51

The bombings etc. are pure speculation feeding an audience that has stuck with him for a long thread. Lou Dobbs was on CNN from 1980-1999. So I guess given that he claims to have been doing this 25 yrs, he got on Lou Dobbs’ show right before CNN gave Lou the boot? I remember Lou. He got bounced for his conspiracy theories and not sticking to business reporting.

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Maureen O'Malley's avatar

This is not the first time I've seen this, but yours is far more specific. And it's horrifying. Is FBI and CIA on it?

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John Crane's avatar

I am also in need of a break and time to recover. But I also feel that the calls for activism are overly optimistic. One of the things that I hate at graduation every year is when people say, "It is up to your generation to fix this!" The power to do something actually was in the DOJ and those with a lot more power than we have as normal citizens. Those who could have gotten rid of the filibuster. Those who could have appointed supreme court justices. If they could not stop what happened, I do not see how the average person will be able to make a difference. To now turn to us and say, it's up to us to keep the resistance going, it seems disingenuous. The tide is very strong right now and I am not sure I have the energy to swim against it. I lived in communist Czechoslovakia. When those in power have absolute power, the average person learns to focus more on family and keeping their head down to avoid getting in trouble. I have seen to many people's lives ruined for fighting the system. I need more time.

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Janet HB's avatar

Heather Cox Richardson said sometimes it just comes down to just doing the next right thing. And if things are really bad, that could even mean just keeping your mouth shut.

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Lynn Geri's avatar

We will have unending opportunities to find joy in noncompliance, sabotage, undermining, simply saying no, embracing loving friends and family. We may get socially ostracized or even shot, but there is a cost to everything. The most essential realization is the United States died Tuesday. Short of finding mass illegal election fraud America the Beautiful is gone. We need to grieve and then start rebuilding appreciation for liberty. It is going to be slow and dangerous work, many will suffer horribly. The world will be grieving with us and cheering us on.

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Maureen O'Malley's avatar

I'd almost rather be shot than to live through this. My only thought is that he's old and unwell and can't continue for long. Even odious Vance isn't the malevolent entity that scumbag 47 is.

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Lynn Geri's avatar

Hi Maureen, The country has died, by suicide. The inevitable will simply roll out. Disgusting leaders will be the least of our problems. As long as we have each other, to be strong for, we will get through this new chaos. We have to keep the dream alive though, talk about equality, personal freedom, the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Thank you for being here for me.

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K Brahney's avatar

I wish there were a 😭 button option right now. All the wonderful, strong comments are great. But I am just sobbing.

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Meemaw's avatar

Me too. I'm trying but it's all I can do just to get basic chores done. I'm going to need a bit longer.

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gpm414's avatar

Take your time. Time doesn't heal, but healing takes time. Our beliefs and values have been shaken, but this is also an opportunity for growth. Don't give up, you'll come out stronger in the end.

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Bad Poetry's avatar

My family has been talking about this all week. We're looking into volunteering more (we already do, but there is always more we can do) that will target at risk populations. We're also all in education, which means that there are at risk populations that we see daily and making sure they know we're allies is an important space to create. And, of course, creating community is always imperative.

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