I was talking with a friend who said she didn’t want to vote in November because both candidates are bad. I told her Trump would create an authoritarian government and she said, “Oh, that’s bullsh*t.” Then I asked her if she had heard of Project 2025. “What’s that?” she asked. After I told her, I’m not going to say I changed her mind. But what I’m hoping is that now that she’s heard of it, maybe the next time it pops up for her she’ll have a bit of interest—that thing where once you’ve heard of something, it seems to show up a lot.
I do think it’s people like her, the ones who aren’t deep into the Trump morass, that are worth having these discussions with.
And asking questions is always better than coming down hard with our own opinions.
Definitely agree that asking questions, and then truly listening to the other person (even when what they say seems, to me, ignorant or non-sensical), is the best way to try to communicate with someone who is neutral or Trump-lite. Some questions I might ask: What do you like about Trump? What don't you like about Trump? What do you like/dislike about Biden?
Well done! I think your line of approach was pitch perfect =] Plant the seed and hopefully shell figure some of it out for herself. That's how people change, in my experience. We can always ball and scream later if necessary ! just kidding =]
Can you please explain whether and why libertarians will support Trump and their position on the Heritage Foundation's plans to help implement a Trump administration second term. Trump is speaking as an invited guest at their annual meeting in Washington.
Libertarians are fond of the law of the jungle-every creature for itself. It's ok I infringe on your rights. How dare you infringe on my right to cause harm to others if that action benefits me!!!
Charles Koch, a Libertarian and also a sociopath. Ayn Rand, a Libertarian and was also a sociopath. Sociopaths have no conscience, so being a Libertarian or fascist is an easy fit. Of course, not all Libertarians are sociopaths but this political system attracts them.
Thank you Ruth, once again for your thoughtful message and Happy Birthday to you. I hope you have succeeded in convincing your mom to “our side” of thinking; I remember your saying how your own mom had a few sips of the “Trump kool-aid”; I guess anyone is susceptible to Trump’s insanity, especially if they listen to FOX news! Enjoy your special day and THANK YOU for all you do!
Looking fwd to tomorrow’s Q&A. Hope you can make sense out of the mess Biden seems to have created by not stopping Bibi genocidal Palestinian massacres. His comments about student protest merely demonstrated even more his incompetence, lack of moral compass, Zionist fealty rather than loyalty to the U.S. Said comments further eroded the waning youth support. Youth are not the only portion of Dem base he has flipped his middle finger towards. As an octogenarian, I’m offended as well by his duplicity. (Remember his promised public option, while campaigning; an alternative to the Single-Payer Medicare For All.
Disclosure: I voted in the CA primaries for Marianne Williamson. We both pledged to vote for Biden if chosen as the candidate for the Dem Party, a choice I believe would be a mistake. First Lady Jill should ask Biden to step aside so that he can spend more time with the family; no need to mention that he is a de-facto war criminal, complicit in the crime of genocide by enabling and financing
what ICJ referred to as Israel’s “plausible”
crime of genocide in occupied Palestine.
I hope you will invite Naomi Klein as well as Mehdi Hasan, sooner rather than latter.
While focusing on djt we ought to remember that bibi relishes trump’s return to the WH. Based on such foreign electoral interference alone, Dems should oppose Netanyahu at every step among the way. BTW, VP Kamala Harris would be able to restore relations with the Dem base, if she tell her Zionist husband to shut up.
Sandy, here’s a link to an excellent piece by Mehdi Hasan, The Guardian, 21 Feb 2024: : “Biden can end the bombing, here’s how. Mr President , make the call. End the genocide.”
Good op-ed, and I respect Hasan. Don't you think Biden has already talked to Netanyahu multiple times? And what about withholding aid to Israel, that Congress has already approved, is OK? IIRC, that's precisely the reason TFG was impeached the first time. Biden is not Reagan, and Netanyahu is not Begin.
An early Happy Birthday to a fellow Taurus. ( Mine is on Wednesday) I'm going to read your Q and A with Joyce as soon as I finish this comment. Looking forward to our get together tomorrow evening.
I have been writing a Project 2025 Substack five days a week for months. I grew up in Christian Nationalism and use that religious indoctrination to interpret Project 2025 as a Christo-fascist manifesto. I am always happy to talk with people from that perspective and would appreciate being part of a Q & A.
This is a really great Supstack ya'll, especially for someone like me who wasn't raised in a religion. Andra, I really appreciate that you provide a reading with the letter. I've learned a great deal from you =]
Happy Birthday in advance 🎂
Enjoy your final day there!
Hau’oli Lā Hānau from a subscriber on the Big Island 🏝️
Happy Birthday and Bon Voyage to see your Mom, Ruth.
I was talking with a friend who said she didn’t want to vote in November because both candidates are bad. I told her Trump would create an authoritarian government and she said, “Oh, that’s bullsh*t.” Then I asked her if she had heard of Project 2025. “What’s that?” she asked. After I told her, I’m not going to say I changed her mind. But what I’m hoping is that now that she’s heard of it, maybe the next time it pops up for her she’ll have a bit of interest—that thing where once you’ve heard of something, it seems to show up a lot.
I do think it’s people like her, the ones who aren’t deep into the Trump morass, that are worth having these discussions with.
And asking questions is always better than coming down hard with our own opinions.
Good try, Pam. these are the people who will fuss the loudest IF Trump is back in office!
Their first comment-“why didn’t you tell me?”
We all must read-Rebellion by Robert Kagan. Chilling in many ways.
Definitely agree that asking questions, and then truly listening to the other person (even when what they say seems, to me, ignorant or non-sensical), is the best way to try to communicate with someone who is neutral or Trump-lite. Some questions I might ask: What do you like about Trump? What don't you like about Trump? What do you like/dislike about Biden?
Well done! I think your line of approach was pitch perfect =] Plant the seed and hopefully shell figure some of it out for herself. That's how people change, in my experience. We can always ball and scream later if necessary ! just kidding =]
Ruth
Can you please explain whether and why libertarians will support Trump and their position on the Heritage Foundation's plans to help implement a Trump administration second term. Trump is speaking as an invited guest at their annual meeting in Washington.
The book, "Democracy in Chains" is a window into the mind of Libertarian leadership. They are not fans of democracy.
Libertarians are fond of the law of the jungle-every creature for itself. It's ok I infringe on your rights. How dare you infringe on my right to cause harm to others if that action benefits me!!!
Indeed!
Charles Koch, a Libertarian and also a sociopath. Ayn Rand, a Libertarian and was also a sociopath. Sociopaths have no conscience, so being a Libertarian or fascist is an easy fit. Of course, not all Libertarians are sociopaths but this political system attracts them.
Thank you Ruth, once again for your thoughtful message and Happy Birthday to you. I hope you have succeeded in convincing your mom to “our side” of thinking; I remember your saying how your own mom had a few sips of the “Trump kool-aid”; I guess anyone is susceptible to Trump’s insanity, especially if they listen to FOX news! Enjoy your special day and THANK YOU for all you do!
Ruth,
Looking fwd to tomorrow’s Q&A. Hope you can make sense out of the mess Biden seems to have created by not stopping Bibi genocidal Palestinian massacres. His comments about student protest merely demonstrated even more his incompetence, lack of moral compass, Zionist fealty rather than loyalty to the U.S. Said comments further eroded the waning youth support. Youth are not the only portion of Dem base he has flipped his middle finger towards. As an octogenarian, I’m offended as well by his duplicity. (Remember his promised public option, while campaigning; an alternative to the Single-Payer Medicare For All.
Disclosure: I voted in the CA primaries for Marianne Williamson. We both pledged to vote for Biden if chosen as the candidate for the Dem Party, a choice I believe would be a mistake. First Lady Jill should ask Biden to step aside so that he can spend more time with the family; no need to mention that he is a de-facto war criminal, complicit in the crime of genocide by enabling and financing
what ICJ referred to as Israel’s “plausible”
crime of genocide in occupied Palestine.
I hope you will invite Naomi Klein as well as Mehdi Hasan, sooner rather than latter.
While focusing on djt we ought to remember that bibi relishes trump’s return to the WH. Based on such foreign electoral interference alone, Dems should oppose Netanyahu at every step among the way. BTW, VP Kamala Harris would be able to restore relations with the Dem base, if she tell her Zionist husband to shut up.
What makes you think that Biden has the means to control what Netanyahu does? Please be specific.
Sandy, here’s a link to an excellent piece by Mehdi Hasan, The Guardian, 21 Feb 2024: : “Biden can end the bombing, here’s how. Mr President , make the call. End the genocide.”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/21/biden-stop-gaza-bombing-genocide-israel.
Good op-ed, and I respect Hasan. Don't you think Biden has already talked to Netanyahu multiple times? And what about withholding aid to Israel, that Congress has already approved, is OK? IIRC, that's precisely the reason TFG was impeached the first time. Biden is not Reagan, and Netanyahu is not Begin.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/02/ucla-palestine-protests-encampment-arrests
Here’s a link to The guardian’s 5/2/24 piece re the UCLA student protest, which Biden gaslighted.
An early Happy Birthday to a fellow Taurus. ( Mine is on Wednesday) I'm going to read your Q and A with Joyce as soon as I finish this comment. Looking forward to our get together tomorrow evening.
Happy Birthday!
I have been writing a Project 2025 Substack five days a week for months. I grew up in Christian Nationalism and use that religious indoctrination to interpret Project 2025 as a Christo-fascist manifesto. I am always happy to talk with people from that perspective and would appreciate being part of a Q & A.
This is a really great Supstack ya'll, especially for someone like me who wasn't raised in a religion. Andra, I really appreciate that you provide a reading with the letter. I've learned a great deal from you =]
Thank you for reading and for endorsing it.
I like to listen while I read, I'm dyslexic =]
=]