@laura-f I give your friend so much credit for at least having a somewhat open mind, and I credit a measured response from you as the reason. I wish I could do that. But all I have to read is that Orange Menace isn't like Hitler because he has a good heart, and I'm completely off the wall. I mean, the Kool-Aid/Disinfectant cocktail is being given out in droves apparently.
I feel so much of this could have been avoided if people in the government had put a stop to this maniac. But they didn't. And they won't. If Pelosi is sitting on something, now is the time to stand up. Why hasn't there been a ruling on his taxes, on the case in New York City? The fifth section of the Mueller report? Is everyone waiting for him to blow us all up?
I'm thoroughly disgusted.
@laura-f Biden’s speech (only excerpts here) is so elevating, I am copying the article here. It’s a piece by Jennifer Rubin
With the opening words of his speech — “I can’t breathe” — Biden adopted a somber, intimate tone for an address delivered far more in sorrow than in anger. To be sure, there were moments when he clobbered the president. “The president held up the Bible at St John’s church yesterday. I just wish he opened it once in a while instead of brandishing it. If he opened it, he could have learned something,” Biden said, adding that Trump could try opening the Constitution as well, where he would find the First Amendment protects the right of the people to peacefully assemble and petition their government. He also bluntly accused the president of being part of the problem and accelerating hate and division. “He thinks division helps him. His narcissism has become more important than the nation’s well-being that he leads,” Biden said.
Biden’s most effective moments, however, were those reflecting on the country’s historic challenge. “American history isn’t a fairy tale with a guaranteed happy ending,” he said. “The battle for the soul of this nation has been a constant push and pull for over 240 years, a tug of war between the ideal that we’re all created equal, and the harsh reality that racism has torn us apart.” He summoned the country not simply to embrace the concept that all men are created equal, but also to treat everyone equally.
He did mention some policy items — including police reforms, such as ending choke holds and the transfer of military equipment to police — but he also vowed that in his presidency, he will address not simply criminal justice reform but economic justice, starting with expansion of Obamacare (which he reminded us Trump is trying to destroy in the middle of a pandemic).
As he is uniquely able to do, Biden also used his own experience of loss to reach those now in mourning. He told the audience that they cannot be consumed by grief but must use their loss for a purpose. It was perhaps the most effective use of his own story (losing a wife and daughter, and then more recently his son Beau) to comfort and console others.
This was a call to our better angels. (“A country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us, leadership that brings us together, leadership that can recognize pain and deep grief of communities that have had a knee on their neck for a long time”). It was a call for empathetic and responsible leadership. ("I promise you this. I won’t traffic in fear and division. I won’t fan the flames of hate. I will seek to heal the racial wounds that have long plagued this country — not use them for political gain.”)
But it was also a challenge: "I ask every American — look at where we are now and think anew. Is this who we are? Is this who want to be? Is this what we want to pass on to our children?” We will know the answer in November.
This was Biden’s most impressive moment in more than 40 years of public service. He gave us a choice — to be our best selves or to be our worst, to unite and heal or to go to war with one another. He showed us he can be president. Indeed, he is the closest thing we have to one right now.
I don't think the country is going to have a civil war.
It won't be from lack of trying, of course. Trump and some of his minions talk as though they want one. For the last few years, we have had one crisis over another.
But have you noticed that Trump supporters are no where to be seen?
Seriously, where were these people who protested the no-contact orders that the governors instituted to try to save lives during the Covid 19 virus? They were oh so brave to march around capital buildings with their military cameos and their guns. They didn't mind hurling abuse at authority then.
We have had a President who has spent the last few years treating people in positions of power with contempt and disrespect. And yet he wants us to respect his authority?
But again, we haven't seen any Pro-Trump supporters show up to these cities to "dominate" the protestors yet. For people who haven't been afraid to intimidate the rest of us with guns, that is telling.
They are afraid.
And they should be. No, not because of the rioting, looting, or violence, but because of the numbers.
Think about it. We see supposed "thousands" of Trump supporters at his rallies, yet the number of peaceful protestors alone is probably much, much greater than that. Trump supporters are watching the TV now and think "OMG, there are a lot of unhappy people out there. And they outnumber us Trump supporters at least two to one, if not more." And that is not even including the people (both white and black) who are taking advantage of the grief of the collective to try to sow chaos for political and/or criminal reasons.
For years, Trump and his allies have given the impression that a large group of people support Trump no matter what. That no matter how unhappy the rest of us are or how many of us vote, they will beat us via gerrymandering and/or their "show of force" by their marching around with guns.
Yet now, when the fight is here, they are no where to be seen. Because many of them are bullies, and bullies are essentially cowards.
The truth is out there now. Now Trump supporters realize that they are really the minority, and the majority of America are very, very unhappy with the way this country is going. A sleeping giant has been woken, and filled with a terrible resolve.
Trump knows this deep down. His reign is about to be over.
And for all the Trump supporters who are planning an insurgency when he is voted out, they will probably think twice about taking to the streets in armed marches. Because now the anti-Trump (or anti-prejudice) population is angry. We are tired of the double standard. We are tired of every time a black person protests injustice, they are accused of playing the "race card." We are tired of peaceful protests being mocked by the far-right (remember Kirkpatrick and how he kneeled during the National Anthem when he and others protested against senseless deaths within the African American community, and Trump had the NFL blackball them for being "unpatriotic"?)
We don't need to be violent or to riot. Because that is not who we are. But our numbers alone and the depth of our outrage is what will stop any inclination from Trump's supporters who have dreamed of a civil war. Because now they see just how unpopular their ideas are, and just how unhappy they have made so many of us.
So take courage in the fact that we, the peaceful collective, outnumber Trump supporters and/or anyone else who desires conflict in our country. We will rise above them all simply because our cause is just and that fact that there are so many more of us. We will prevail. We don't want a civil war, and I know we will keep one from happening. So take courage in this, and know that we will win out without the need for armed conflict.
Not that I eat fast food anyway, but in case you do, no more Wendy's, Taco Bell or Pizza Hut for me!
They donated to tRump's re-election campaign:
There are plenty of wonderful police in our country who want to display their support for the protestors. Bill Barr and tRump are trying - in vain - to control what people on the ground are really seeing.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/us/police-protesters-together/index.html
@fjellvandre. Welcome to our community. I am glad you decided to post. I see you are feeling at the end of the rope on getting rid of the perpetrators of power and you want to try something new. It is true that there will always be opportunistic people who do not care what happens to others. The worst of them are psychopaths.
What would it look like to make them feel they won? We shouldn't vote? We shouldn't protest?
First, while I feel that someone has something on Trump, we will probably not see it until very, very close to November 3, 2020. The reason for this is simple. If we want the damaging information to have it's maximum effect (AKA convince any undecided voters to not vote for Trump), then you need to do it as close to the election as possible. If you do it too soon, then it allows Trump and his allies a chance to either (1) come up with a narrative to explain away the damaging information, (2) rile up the base with false charges of "fake news" and "the libs are out to get Trump," and/or (3) allow Trump to start a new problem to take away attention from the damaging information.
It is all about using your "Trump" card (pun intended) at the moment it matters most. I think most of us are resigned to the fact that Trump will never, ever step down, and because the Republicans are in charge, they won't make him. So unless he drops dead from one hamburger too many, we are stuck with him. So our best chance to get rid of him and his followers will come on November 3, 2020.
As to the tax case, there will be an announcement no later than June 30, 2020. I imagine that Roberts and the rest of the justices are holding off giving out a decision as long as possible. Honestly, can you imagine the outrage on either side when that decision comes out? If Trump wins, then anti-Trump people who are protesting right now will be even more angry, and may lead to more protests getting out of hand. If Trump loses, then he will start a whole new slew of outrageous actions designed to take the attention off his taxes so he can try to keep them hidden longer.
As for other matters you mentioned....that, sadly, is the justice system at work. The wheels are full of clogs right now, designed to slow the process so that only the most patient and most determined are left standing.
Take heart, my friend. We will be here long after Trump is gone. We will build a better world than the one he has made. Be angry, and let it fill you with a resolve to be there for the day we see him mournfully walk out of the White House and onto a helicopter, his shame and disbelief that he is not a great president (or even a good man). Remember that, and let it be your goal. Even this hard time will fade.
Welcome to our community fjelivandre. I am so happy you decided to take the risk and officially join us. There are so many topics here in our community, I am sure some will be of interest to you over time as you get your feet wet.
I think you have some wise thoughts on the need to have the dark side feel comfortable so they can show their true colors and step out from behind the rock the have been hiding under. Even if we elect a fabulous president and are able to have a good congress, a future election may prove differently. I am sure there are students who will be studying what is happening now to prepare for the future, good and bad students. My hope is that laws may be reformed or even created for the first time that will make our country stronger, healthier and brighter/lighter. That we can truly be of the people, by the people and for the people, all people.
New York City has instated an 8 pm to 5 am curfew for the rest of the week.
But have you noticed that Trump supporters are no where to be seen?
Yes I have made note of that over the past few days. They are putting their efforts into talking about the protests and rioting now. Mostly about supporting our police. They are also talking about Covid and how it "suddenly" must not be a problem because everyone is protesting and not social distancing now.