Vox Populi, our weekly live chat about the week’s events begins tonight at 7:00pm PDT. Hope to see you then! AdLib 3 hours ago
Just us? MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
Hey Murph! So far. CL and TW should be here, don’t know about others. AdLib 2 hours ago
Quite a week though, right? If you’re not shorting stock on Trump, you’re doing it wrong. AdLib 2 hours ago
I am just in from the campaign road in Il. MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
And 538 came out with their first forecast for Dems to be more likely to win The Senate and House. AdLib 2 hours ago
Really? MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
Yep! How are things going in IL? AdLib 2 hours ago
Hey Ad and Murph! Good to see you! choicelady 2 hours ago
Budzinski is favored to win but we are taking nothing for granted. MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
Hey CL! Have a S’more? AdLib 2 hours ago
Hi CL. MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
Murph – Great! My donation has really paid off! 
AdLib 2 hours ago
Hi TW! AdLib 2 hours ago
Thanks, Ad – want some wine? Hi Murph! AdLib brought Smores. I have wine. Your call or something of your choice. choicelady 2 hours ago
Good evening all. twilson117 2 hours ago
I was attack by my first Q hit team yesterday. They are going to our events stirring up trouble. MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
Hi, TW!! Smores and wine on the table. Help yourself. choicelady 2 hours ago
Yes, Ad, it was your donation that put her over the top! Woo Hoo 
MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
Ooo – Murph – you KNOW I don’t like reading that! choicelady 2 hours ago
CL – Please, pour me a nice glass. Celebrating that Trump looks like he’s really going down. AdLib 2 hours ago
He is, Ad. He is. choicelady 2 hours ago
Murph – What happened with the Qa-nuts? AdLib 2 hours ago
Murph – I mean I don’t like reading about Q at your rallies. choicelady 2 hours ago
Hi CL and TW…smores and wine….well chocolate and red wine work for me. Not sure about Graham Crackers and Marshmallows. MurphTheSurf3 2 hours ago
Well It looks like the Orange Jesus is on his way to wherever. twilson117 2 hours ago
PPO! So nice to see you! AdLib 2 hours ago
HeyPPO great to see your hear. twilson117 2 hours ago
Hi all! . how’s tricks? pinkpantheroz 2 hours ago
Murph – like you, I deconstruct smores into constituent parts and eat what pairs with the wine. choicelady 2 hours ago
PPO!!!!! choicelady 2 hours ago
SO good to see you, PPO!!! choicelady 2 hours ago
Things are fine now that you’re with us PPO twilson117 2 hours ago
TW – I was never confident Trump would be criminally prosecuted but I had hoped he would be fined and sued into poverty. Looks like Christmas morning this week. AdLib 2 hours ago
Racing seaon over till next week. So for once I’m here. pinkpantheroz 2 hours ago
Ad – I think Trump and “top secret I declassified with my mind” is going to prison. choicelady 2 hours ago
Thanks for your fab welcome. pinkpantheroz 2 hours ago
Ad I’m waiting the presents to be under the tree first. twilson117 2 hours ago
We have missed you while you do your regatta work. LOVELY to have you here. choicelady 2 hours ago
CL I’ll trust your mind over Trump six ways from Sunday twilson117 2 hours ago
Thank you, dear TW!!! choicelady 2 hours ago
CL – I still have a hard time believing any court would actually sentence Trump to prison time but if that happened, there would be partying in the streets like the end of WW II. AdLib 2 hours ago
Murph did I see you we Q’anoned??? twilson117 2 hours ago
A long way to go till TFG wears orange. At least, no decent lawyers will work for him, unless the RNC foot the yuuuuge bill. pinkpantheroz 2 hours ago
Ad – OK you have put your finger on the problem. It’s NOT the DOJ and AG bringing indictments but the public’s willingness to convict a former president. I actually think they would. But…you never know. choicelady 2 hours ago
What happened……we had a town hall which Nikki hosted…..good crowd…..a group in the back started heckling her (calling her a witch and a whore) and then began flashing the 1 finger Q salute……I and several others went to the back to ask them to respect Nikki’s right to speak and the crowd’s right to hear her……they lashed out at us and wanted our names and addresses. One began taking photos saying they were going to be posting them on their website under the title “Know the Enemy”……Another of our organizers moved Nikki and the crowd to another venue and we locked them out. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
And I also love that Ivanka, Eric and Don Jr. have been sued by NY State as well. Wait until the FBI finds who Trump shared top secrets with, if the Saudis as I suspect, Jared could be going down with them. AdLib an hour ago
PPO – I understand the RNC told Trump YOYO – you’re on your own. choicelady an hour ago
PPO the guy who made Trump put up a 3 million retainer had a bit of foresight. twilson117 an hour ago
HOLY MACKEREL! PPO IS IN THE HOUSE! MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
CL – I would hope so, nothing would be more amazing than to see the first criminal president in prison like any other criminal. AdLib an hour ago
cl, I think secretly the GOP would like him to do time, so that the MAGAs leave and the real Republican Party can regroup – in about 20 years! pinkpantheroz an hour ago
Hey Murph! pinkpantheroz an hour ago
Murph – I would hope Nicki would first be safe, but if she is, then let her speak kindly to the assholes. Might not work, but it makes them look SO much worse when kindness is rebuffed violently. choicelady an hour ago
PPO – I do think the GOP do want MAGA gone. MAGA now means “Many Allies Getting Arrested”. choicelady an hour ago
Murph – That’s pretty messed up. Do they actually think their Nazi tactics will discourage people from voting against Repubs? They are walking ads for voting out Repubs. AdLib an hour ago
Murph wow these Q folks really are batshit crazy. twilson117 an hour ago
FWIW – I read today that MAGA is sticking it to the Libs and NOT VOTING. Hmmm. choicelady an hour ago
Glad you’re OK, Murph. Incidentally, my bag finally arrived from Frankfurt last Tuesday, only 2 months late! pinkpantheroz an hour ago
CL…could you say more about the “sticking it to the libs” comment? MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
The Qa-nuts, like all Repubs, project themselves on Dems. They want a purge of all reasonable people when in fact what’s needed and hopefully is happening is a purge of Repubs and RW loons from power. AdLib an hour ago
PPO told me he was darned glad he hadn’t packed salami and cheese in that bag. Second the thought. choicelady an hour ago
PPO…..2 months……did the bag have an extended vacay? MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
CL wait, the call sticking to the libs is for them not to vote??? twilson117 an hour ago
BTW, an AZ judge just lifted a stay on an 1800’s law banning all abortions except life of the mother, I think these RW judges are helping defeat Repubs nationally as they overreach. I think Dems in AZ just got a big boost. AdLib an hour ago
That’s pretty much all I read – they think they will make us cry by NOT VOTING. Also sticking it to those they see as RINOs. I, personally, am all for that kind of rebellion. I will suffer through it. choicelady an hour ago
I appreciate the suggestion that NIkki should try to speak with the Q folks but the security people will not have it given that they are more likely to use force than standard protestors. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
TW – don’t overstress looking for logic in Q. choicelady an hour ago
CL – I heard another one, MAGA = Making Attorneys Get Attorneys AdLib an hour ago
Ad!!! choicelady an hour ago
That’s hilarious! choicelady an hour ago
PPO – I saw your bag on a milk carton! AdLib an hour ago
CL…I must be very tired….I am still not understanding your narrative about “not voting”…can you explain it to me like I am a three yearold. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
CL all those years of writing COBOL code it’s hard not to. twilson117 an hour ago
PPO – I saw ‘have you seen this missing bag’ on light poles here in Sacramento. choicelady an hour ago
It was very suspicious of me when I took it into the house, but warmed up later. At least no one used it as a drug mule. contesnts, especially my Dad’s flag, were all intact. pinkpantheroz an hour ago
Murph – no. I cannot explain it to anyone. They think they’re rebelling by not voting. Shhhhh – nobody tell them! choicelady an hour ago
Murph – I saw this too, that some MAGAs are vowing not to vote to make a statement that elections are rigged. Stupid, I know but I’ll take it. AdLib an hour ago
CL….bizarre MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph: Q and bizarre go together. choicelady an hour ago
PPO – Are you sure that is your bag? Could be a Russian spy made to look like your older bag. AdLib an hour ago
Support America……DON’T VOTE! Hmmmmm…… MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Ad if they chose not to vote then let’s not get in their way. twilson117 an hour ago
TW – Exactly! Happy to let MAGAs prove they’re idiots again by not voting to protest voting. AdLib an hour ago
All – I say if they are determined to undermine themselves, who are WE to interfere with their freedom of choice? choicelady an hour ago
MEGAs have a constitutional right not to vote, unlike here where it is compulsory. We should encourage the poor dears. pinkpantheroz an hour ago
Ad Let’s just give them a Happy Meal and tell them it’s from Burger King and see what they do twilson117 an hour ago
Did you see that after the NY AG announced the case against Trump and all, Trump said that he can do business elsewhere and that Hungary looks like a great place to do business. I think the DoJ should hold onto his passports, I can imagine Trump fleeing as the net closes on him. AdLib an hour ago
PPO – agreed. How is compulsory voting good when you get idiots dumping in their delusional choices? choicelady an hour ago
BR choicelady an hour ago
TW – The thing is, MAGAs refuse to eat Happy Meals because it goes against their beliefs. AdLib an hour ago
Ad if Trump does business in Hungry he will be paying Orban a fortune. twilson117 an hour ago
Ad that’s why you tell them it’s really Burger King or KFC. twilson117 an hour ago
A Ukrainian sidebar…..I am friends with folks who are members of a Ukrainian Eastern Rite Church….I have been to their church….they showed me a video last Sunday from Ukraine of an old couple (a doctor and a nurse) escorting 6 Russian YOUNG soldiers to safety with their military. They were hiding in their yard afraid of their own people and expecting the Ukrainians to kill them. The woman made the commander PROMISE BEFORE GOD AND IN HIS MOTHER’S NAME that “the boys” would be safe and then she told him that she wanted to know where they were to be sent because she planned to visit them. Her last words- “I am a mother of two sons. The boys could be them. They are victims too.” MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
I really like how Dearie as Special Master is immediately challenging Trump on the public lies he makes about the documents case. He lies about declassifying the docs, Deary demands proof, Trump lies about the FBI planting docs, Dearie requires Trump’s lawyers to specify the alleged planted docs. At first, I was unhappy about Dearie coming on but what it has meant de facto is that Loose Cannon is no longer in charge day-to-day and Trump is getting nailed on all his BS by a legit judge. AdLib an hour ago
Loose Cannon….chuckle! 
MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph, wow, that’s some huge level of kindness twilson117 an hour ago
Murph – Great story to hear and a very smart strategy, to try and coerce young Russians who don’t want to be fighting there to defect. I know it is part of a multi-pronged strategy in Ukraine, they’ve had many defectors. AdLib an hour ago
So what is going on in Russia? Has Putin sabotaged himself by calling up all these citizens who are fleeing and even trying to break their own legs so they can’t serve? Protests there and in Iran. Could there finally be a real global pushback against tyrants to accompany Trump going down? AdLib an hour ago
Murph – one of the key things that has come out of Ukraine is the amazing compassion of the Ukranians toward the soldiers sent to kill them. It is a major game changer. Rev.Dr. King was correct – hate cannot end hate. Only love can do that. choicelady an hour ago
TW….I have to say that the Ukrainians continue to impress me on many levels….the members of the church are multi generational immigrants to the U.S. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
CL…love the connection to MLK. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Ad you see how quickly she changed her decision, it was a one pager. She was schooled by the appellate court, I mean schooled to the point she needs to go back to law school. twilson117 an hour ago
I am so impressed with Ukraine’s bravery and strategies. It must piss Putin right off that they know how to fight with Russian armour and keep them running, not to mention the ass-whupping their troops are giving the poor underfed, undertrained Russian grunts. pinkpantheroz an hour ago
Back a thousand years ago I worked in N, Philadelphia at a Boys Club that was Boys and Girls (first one). 90% Black, 10% Ukranian. They were so good together. The kids all were wonderful. Never forgot that. The Ukranians in the US are far more comfortable with Black communities than many other groups. choicelady an hour ago
CL…in the interview with the couple a reporter asked what was the first thing they did when they found the soldiers….the doctor’s answer: “I asked if they were hurt and then if they needed water.” MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
CL – And the Ukranians are smart enough to know that some of the Russian recruits are unwilling and frightened. There are some who are vicious, bloodthirsty monsters too, they can’t be converted anymore than MAGAs here but now drafting 300,000 mostly unwilling Russians who were content to just put a “Z” on their car and watch the tv propagandists while they supported the war, sure seems like it is backfiring. AdLib an hour ago
Putin is desperate and he is running out of time. twilson117 an hour ago
Murph – yes. Even older Ukranians who remember the famine are doing kindness to the Russian soldiers/ choicelady an hour ago
The fact that 350K people were trying to enter Finland last week to avoid killing Ukrainians says a WHOLE LOT. choicelady an hour ago
TW, i sense a palace coup in the Kremlin isn’t too far away. Putin is getting old, and even more paranoid. Betting he stays away from windows and stairs pinkpantheroz an hour ago
CL do you think Putin will make through the year? twilson117 an hour ago
TW – I have heard that Russian oligarchs are demanding that he resign. choicelady an hour ago
PPO I agree twilson117 an hour ago
TW – I think Loose Cannon’s moronic idea that she could get away with stomping on the law to please Trump and The Federalist Society has come back to taint her badly. That quick rewriting of her order was also unusual but she was slapped down so hard by the 11th Circuit, she looks awful and her rep is permanently stained. Moron bootlicker. AdLib an hour ago
TW – heard he is going blind. So…no. choicelady an hour ago
Ad what is the over/under of her being assigned to traffic court? twilson117 an hour ago
CL I haven’t heard that but reports have been floating around he is very ill. twilson117 an hour ago
PPO – And it’s important to remember that Russia is supposed to be a superpower fighting a far smaller and weaker country right next to it…and it’s losing while committing war crimes and all kinds of monsterous acts. Russia has never looked weaker and neither has Putin. Who Trump declared “brilliant” for invading Ukraine. Fools of a feather… AdLib an hour ago
Well – Loose Cannon IS federal, so she might be assigned meaningless cases. She is, however, in the crosshairs for impeachment. choicelady an hour ago
Well, folks, gotta go. Short but so sweet to be back. Daylight saving starts next week, so should be better able to be here. pinkpantheroz an hour ago
CL I was watching the video of him making his announcement and he seem to be holding on to the edge of the desk rather tightly there is something clearly wrong with him. twilson117 an hour ago
I read today that Putin is facing opposition from the left and right….there are very dark, very aggressive forces at work that promoted the invasion and insisted on its prosecution ….. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
PPO great to see you. twilson117 an hour ago
Oh PPO – it is JUST so good to see you! Drop in now and then because you are ALWAYS welcome. Don’t forget to take snacks on your way out. Love you! choicelady an hour ago
See you. Booking July again, btw pinkpantheroz an hour ago
PPO…so very nice, a joy, to have you with us once again. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Keeping July holy for your arrival, PPO. choicelady an hour ago
TW – My hope is that if the Dems keep control of Congress and have enough in The Senate to end the filibuster, they pass a court reform bill that enlarges the SCOTUS and puts in place a structure to weed out judges with bad track records. Cannon would be on that list and should be re-assigned…to small claims court in Alaska. AdLib an hour ago
Ad – I do not know if she can be reassigned. But she CAN be impeached. choicelady an hour ago
I wonder what the thinking is among the Trump judges on Scotus…. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Ad did I see you say earlier that 538 have the dems taking it all? twilson117 an hour ago
With the exception of Thomas and Alito, I think the others, even Amy, are watching this with heart palpitations. choicelady an hour ago
CL….yes Cannon can be shot out of one via impeachment…but the grounds….is dumb ass kissing impeachable? MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Alito and Thomas are lost causes I believe. choicelady an hour ago
I think malfeasance and misappropriation of the law is impeachable. choicelady an hour ago
Murph – I thought Putin was the main instigator of the Ukraine invasion, he just has yes men around him. This was his war, his grab for historical glory, this is all about him and I wonder if it’s just a matter of time before he falls out of a building. AdLib an hour ago
What do we think of Ginny Thomas’ appearance before the Jan. 6 committee? MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Ad – in high school we learned about “The Defenestration of Prague”. Today we may well see “The Defenestration of Putin”. choicelady an hour ago
Hey all, any of you have information on the move Repubs are trying to call a Constitutional Convention and are close to having the numbers they need? twilson117 an hour ago
Ad….Putin is not a solo act…..he is part of an “imperial movement” that is very popular in the upper power and money stratas in Russia MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
CL – If the Dems create new rules for poor performing judges to be reassigned, she can be reassigned. It’s a power Congress has, to make rules and oversee the judicial branch. They could make that the case. As I say, it should be based on performance alone and if so, can’t legitimately be used for political reasons. AdLib an hour ago
Murph – cannot wait to see Ginni in the hot seat. She ain’t no spring chicken. She needs to roll on others or spend the rest of her days wearing orange. choicelady an hour ago
TW…I have not heard about the Const. Conv gambit. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph – that would be fine. However she is removed works for me. I’m not rigid here. choicelady an hour ago
CL…isn’t Ginni testifying in closed session. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph I was checking it out last night it’s been going on very quietly and it’s my understanding they’re close to the number they need . twilson117 an hour ago
Murph – don’t know, but she says what she says. She needs to be careful. choicelady an hour ago
TW – That’s what I heard about 538 but I am less about polls in this election. The results have shown Dems kicking ass while the polling has not. I think the polls are necessarily flawed this year, they aren’t designed to compensate for the big increase in women registering to vote to reinstate and protect abortion. I think there will be a Blue Wave but that polls won’t show it. AdLib an hour ago
TW – we are four states away from the RW getting the Con Con they want. VERY dangerous. However, they have exhausted the likely votes. choicelady an hour ago
TW…to call a Const Conv….. two thirds of the State legislatures (that is, 34 of the 50) may call a convention to propose amendments, which become law only after ratification by three-fourths of the states (38 of the 50). MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph – I don’t think Cannon would be successfully impeached since Repubs would be needed to remove her and they are no doubt thrilled that she threw the law and Constitution aside to protect Trump. AdLib an hour ago
Ad…my thinking as well. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph – I wonder whether Ginny Thomas’ lawyers set a framework for questions to keep her from answering some key questions. AdLib an hour ago
CL did I read the correctly 4 states away?? twilson117 an hour ago
CL – Great point about The Defenestration of Putin! AdLib an hour ago
TW – yes. Four states. But they have run out of friendly ones. choicelady an hour ago
TW – They still need several more states to call a Constitutional Convention and I don’t think they’ll get all of them but they are way too close. AdLib an hour ago
Ad – I don’t think the J6 committee lets perps set the terms. choicelady an hour ago
Ad yes CL said they are 4 away twilson117 an hour ago
TW et. al. A site that shows how the CC movement is moving. https://conventionofstates.com/states-that-have-passed-the-convention-of-states-article-v-application MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph – I don’t know, a lot of wealthy people in Russia are being pushed out of Upper Strata windows. AdLib an hour ago
Murph – why we need to vote Blue all the way down to dogcatcher. choicelady an hour ago
CL – But the Ginni Thomas questioning won’t be public, will it? AdLib an hour ago
Ad – Russian oligarchs today are the Pushers, not the Pushees. choicelady an hour ago
Ad….yes….and the experts say that this too is movement from the right. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph thanks for the link. CL said they are 4 states away but have run out of friendly ones. Here is what is scary about this, not very many folks know this is going on. twilson117 an hour ago
Ad – Probably not public, AdLib, but we WILL learn it all. \ choicelady an hour ago
TW….this process has been going on for more than 10 years…..unless a state withdraws its sanction of a CC it stays in place…. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
TW – Twitter has made a BIG deal of the Con Con and how dangerous it is. LOTS of folks who did not know now do. And we’re digging in against it. It is funded by – tah dah – the remaining Koch brother. choicelady an hour ago
Ad and I met picketing the Kochs back in the day. We were in Palm Springs, ‘CA and it was a VERY cool experience! choicelady an hour ago
CL – It all depends on whether the oligarchs speak out against Putin or not at all. Another couple have fallen out windows in the last week or so. AdLib an hour ago
Ad I believe Ginny Poo will doing it behind closed doors and it will be tapped by the 1/6 committee. twilson117 an hour ago
CL….my understanding is that a state’s vote for a CC is current until the state formally withdraws it….the campaign is more than a decade old. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Ad – I read quite recently that oligarchs are fed up with Putin and the war. He is on very dangerous ground. They are NOT happy he’s threatening to nuke their banks and markets in EU. choicelady an hour ago
CL – Yes, the J6 committee does negotiate with the lawyers of some witnesses on what the terms of the inquiry will be. AdLib an hour ago
CL and Ad…..the koch’s were your matchmakers….. 
MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Murph – I think that is correct. We need more blue leaning states to withdraw their vote. choicelady an hour ago
CL who else would be funding it. These are the fools who had their faces stamped on dimes when they were running for office I believe. twilson117 an hour ago
CL – I hope they at least show video of Ginny’s testimony on the 28th’s public hearing. AdLib an hour ago
Murph – well, yes, the Kochs were WHY we met. choicelady an hour ago
CL…my understanding too. MurphTheSurf3 an hour ago
Ad – remember how many video hearings have been shown on the J6 committee public presentations. Ginni will NOT get lost I don’t think. choicelady 44 minutes ago
CL – That was a historic day, actually. Meeting you in person of course and also joining in an event that Uncloaked The Kochs who up until then had been operating like a Black Ops org in manipulating the country. Now, it’s common knowledge and we helped expose and put a spotlight on these evil people. AdLib 43 minutes ago
The Russian Imperial/Nationalist Movement is definitely souring on Putin BECAUSE he has proven ineffective. MurphTheSurf3 42 minutes ago
All, I brought up the Con-Con because I feel there is an undertone of where people in this country seem to want to move away from our form of governance, and they are getting behind this because they don’t fully understand what it is they have. twilson117 42 minutes ago
Murph – I think there is an “expiration date” on pursuing a CC, they tried to say the ERA is not eligible for that reason. AdLib 41 minutes ago
This makes interesting reading….the large number significant military actions by post Soviet Russia….that they largely won…. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Russia#Russian_Federation_(1991%E2%80%93present) MurphTheSurf3 40 minutes ago
Ad – it was an amazing day indeed! choicelady 40 minutes ago
TW – it is horrifying to me how many people, Right and Left, want an autocrat. choicelady 40 minutes ago
Ad…that could be….I cannot find trusted info on that. MurphTheSurf3 40 minutes ago
CL – Russia has propped up the ruble and their stock market for half a year now and they’re running out of tactics. Oil prices just plunged, the Russian public will become more opposed to the war as their friends and relatives are injured and killed in it, the writing is on the wall I think. The Russian Generals need to take Putin out before he gets too desperate and reaches for the nuke button. AdLib 39 minutes ago
CL but isn’t that the natural life span of democracy? twilson117 38 minutes ago
Ad…..one of the things that Putin has done is to recreate the most effective elements of the KGB and it is that force that protects him…so far. MurphTheSurf3 37 minutes ago
Murph – That’s an unappetizing thought but true, the Kochs did bring CL and mecloser together. But so did Breitbart, I’ll never forget him taunting the protesters (including us) as the Koch Klan was meeting. When he died I made a point here as you may remember, against whitewashing how awful a human being is just because they died. AdLib 37 minutes ago
I could be wrong, but the uprising in Iran may have a ripple effect in many other places. People are sick of autocracy, sick of being silenced and controlled. It will undermine the RW here by pointing out how democracy, as cumbersome as it can be, gives everyone a voice and agency over their own lives. This is the last shudder of empire and dominion. And it’s not going to survive/ choicelady 37 minutes ago
CL – Yes, that was what I was thinking, the Ginni video may very well be shown in the next J6 public hearing, hope so. AdLib 36 minutes ago
CL….I find the actions, led by women, in Iran heartening. MurphTheSurf3 36 minutes ago
Ad 
choicelady 36 minutes ago
Cl, what an interesting compare and contrast. People in Iran rebelling against autocracy and folks here in the US running towards it. twilson117 35 minutes ago
Murph – yes, indeed. And it has power globally. choicelady 35 minutes ago
TW – My argument though would be that if you total up the number of Americans in the states that have signed onto the CC, it is dwarfed by the majority of Americans in states that haven’t. As with all Repub led things, this is about a power grab by an extreme minority, the majority of Americans don’t support them. AdLib 35 minutes ago
TW – I think the movements around the world are undermining the RW in America. It’s demoralizing to the Right to see their autocratic views are rejected around the world. choicelady 34 minutes ago
I though I would share this message that I posted to the White House Comments site today: I just finished watching the President speak in Washington DC. This is my response. I was proud of President Biden when he was Vice-President Biden. I was proud of President Biden when he was Candidate Biden. I was proud of President Biden when he was Nominee Biden. I was proud of President Biden when he was President-Elect Biden. I remain VERY PROUD OF OUR PRESIDENT. I KNEW HE WOULD BE GOOD. HE IS WELL ON HIS WAY TO BEING GREAT. I believe he walks in the foodsteps of FDR, Truman, Ike, and Obama. Proud? You bet! I am working hard for President Biden by working for the election of every Democrat and in doing so I am working for all the people. I donate. I write. I volunteer. I am inspired by OUR PRESIDENT JOSEPH BIDEN. WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE CANNOT DO…….I do believe. MurphTheSurf3 33 minutes ago
CL I do not disagree, I find it unnerving that people who are under autocratic rule want to get from it and people here in the US want to doom it’s citizens to it. twilson117 32 minutes ago
Ad nice!!!! twilson117 31 minutes ago
TW – I think the dynamics are that in these autocracies, a minority has successfully grabbed power while the majority has been oppressed from replacing them. It almost happened here in 2020 and could happen in 2024. But as Gandhi said, “There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.” AdLib 31 minutes ago
TW….those supporting the autocratic movement in the U.S. are another expression of the right wing religious movement, the dominionists…… MurphTheSurf3 31 minutes ago
Murph totally, completely agree with you. twilson117 30 minutes ago
AD….but sadly Gandhi’s homeland seems to be in the hands of an autocratic figure, Modi. MurphTheSurf3 30 minutes ago
Murph – Very nice comment! How Biden doesn’t have a 60% approval rating is beyond me. AdLib 30 minutes ago
Thanks TW. MurphTheSurf3 30 minutes ago
Anyone who doesn’t know and hasn’t read Paul Hawken’s “Blessed Unrest” should do that. WE aren’t the leaders in fighting for democracy and moral agency – it is small, embattled indigenous socieities. WE are just catching up.’. choicelady 30 minutes ago
CL….added to my reading list… MurphTheSurf3 29 minutes ago
Murph – You’re right, India is now the kind of tyranny that he dedicated his life to defeat. But his words are still true and Modi will eventually lose his grip on power. AdLib 28 minutes ago
Cl on my list to check out twilson117 28 minutes ago
Ad….Biden has genuinely surprised me……thus far he is actually more effective than Obama, something I would never have believed could be. MurphTheSurf3 28 minutes ago
All – forgive me if I said this, but PRRI, the MOST reliable organization doing surveys on religion, found in 2020 that the extremist, fundamentalist RW followers are down from 24% of America to 13%.They are sinking like the Titanic. This is why they are becoming so extreme politically – Trump was their last hope. Let’s make sure that’s true. choicelady 27 minutes ago
Ad…Modi has done as Putin and others of his ilk have done….aligned himself with a selfish, powerful, wealthy faction as his power base. MurphTheSurf3 27 minutes ago
All – Blessed Unrest is one of the most empirically hopeful books I’ve ever read. choicelady 26 minutes ago
CL – Yes, the GOP and Trump have been doing their best to have the US “catch up” to countries that have been toppled into autocracies. Of course, Trump attacks the rule of law as turning the US into a Third World Country, as long as you know they always project their traits and goals on everyone else, you get what’s in their minds. AdLib 26 minutes ago
CL – I will put it on my reading list, thanks for the recommendation! AdLib 26 minutes ago
CL….yes, overall fundamentalism is on the wane, but the zealots are not on the run. MurphTheSurf3 25 minutes ago
BTW – the dedication in Blessed Unrest is to Anuradha Mittal, a friend of mine and the most effective, extraordinary woman I’ve ever known. We were on a panel together, didn’t know each other, and finished each other’s thoughts. I adore her. Look her up at the Oakland Institute that advocates for indigenous land rights globally. choicelady 25 minutes ago
CL….you have such interesting associates! MurphTheSurf3 24 minutes ago
Murph – I was wrong, I admit it. I thought Biden would be a caretaker type president but between him, the people around him and the Dems in Congress, this has been the most effective and Progressive term for a Dem since FDR. Biden needs to be remembered for doing so much to help the country and fix endemic problems including poverty, Climate Change and economic justice. AdLib 24 minutes ago
Murph – I think the zealots ARE on the run leaving the hard core. They are powerful, vile, but “unpeopled”. We are watching – and the numbers are dwindling. choicelady 24 minutes ago
CL….I do hope that this is so. MurphTheSurf3 23 minutes ago
CL you hang out with a very interesting crowd, what are you doing with us? 
twilson117 23 minutes ago
CL – That PRRI study also points out why the Religious Right has joined forces with Repubs on trying to end our democracy, their numbers and support is shrinking so like Repubs, their decision is to crush democracy instead of change to be more able to win elections. AdLib 22 minutes ago
Ad…..the stilted and hesitant candidate who was still present in his first year is gone……Biden is a strong speaker….in his own way as good as Obama MurphTheSurf3 22 minutes ago
Cl……a marriage of opportunity. MurphTheSurf3 21 minutes ago
My dear friends – I am STILL having eye problems and am finding it hard to read. So I am bugging out for a bit of shut eye. I wrote a multi page precis for two attorneys on CPS violations in the law here for them to flesh out, and the eyes bugged out around 4 this afternoon. So I am off to bed. Will hope to be here next week. Hugs and love to you all. choicelady 21 minutes ago
Take care CL twilson117 21 minutes ago
The very best to you CL…..Solemn slumber! MurphTheSurf3 20 minutes ago
Modi is like other autocratic leaders, they have no loyalty to their people or principles, it’s always transactional, about how he can gain more power or wealth for himself. He is wholly corrupt and immoral, the truly evil way he uses his bigotry to oppress minorities in India. AdLib 20 minutes ago
Night CL! Have a great weekend! AdLib 20 minutes ago
thank you, TW. Tonight has been a good conversation. i just can’t see clearly now. Good night, Murph and AD! choicelady 20 minutes ago
Hey guys I’m bugging out as well need to get some thoughts down on paper. See you next week. twilson117 19 minutes ago
Ad….Modi disturbs me very deeply…..India is barely functional as a democracy. MurphTheSurf3 19 minutes ago
Take care TW MurphTheSurf3 19 minutes ago
Well….we kicked off the party and now we are closing it. MurphTheSurf3 18 minutes ago
Doing anything fun this weekend? MurphTheSurf3 18 minutes ago
Murph – Yes, like Obama, Biden seemed reserved when he first got into the WH (after Trump nearly refused to leave) and like Obama, he made a big focus on being bipartisan. But with Covid and the economy in serious shape, he saw that he had to act. And since then, with a bit of being sidelined by Manchin and Sinema, he has come back big time. I am genuinely impressed and can’t imagine any Dem accomplishing more than Biden has in this term. AdLib 17 minutes ago
Last weekend, I regrouted the shower and this weekend, it’s the bathroom floor and other tasks. So, not exactly fun but oh well. How about you? Any time off from the farm and IL? AdLib 16 minutes ago
Obama was a fine orator but he was reserved/dignified/scholarly in his delivery….biden has reverted to his barn storming roots. MurphTheSurf3 15 minutes ago
Ad…..you know how to PARTAY! MurphTheSurf3 15 minutes ago
I am going to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s first weekend performance. I am a major Classical aficionado MurphTheSurf3 14 minutes ago
Obama had it tough, he was not an aggressive Progressive but he was liberal minded. But he had the mantle of being the first black president and I think that weighed on him when he wanted to roll up his sleeves and fight the Repubs. It wasn’t until later in his 2nd term that he seemed to feel he could be more aggressive and not get smeared as the “angry black man”. AdLib 13 minutes ago
I have also been deconstructing my gardens…..in response to autumn weather. MurphTheSurf3 13 minutes ago
Murph, that sounds fantastic! How wonderful! A friend of mine has a daughter who is a floutist and attending a college for music, she plays wonderfully and I enjoy watching her performances she’s had in CA and this Summer in France in a competition. AdLib 12 minutes ago
Ad…..I agree with your take on Obama…..the most bombastic inspiration in his life was a preacher whose noise nearly ended his run. MurphTheSurf3 11 minutes ago
My little veggie garden is dead from the heatwaves we’ve had, have to clear it out. AdLib 11 minutes ago
SLSO…..I am a season ticket holder…..20 concerts a year. MurphTheSurf3 10 minutes ago
Hate to say that Biden’s being an older white man gave him freer reign to do big things. Think how demonized Obama was for one huge achievement, the ACA which is now widely appreciated but many who like it today were quick to attack Obama for making it happen. AdLib 10 minutes ago
Ad…when is CA going to deal with its water issues……you have an ocean just a bit to the west…..massive desalination via reverse osmosis does work. MurphTheSurf3 9 minutes ago
Ad…..I think Biden’s experience in the Senate has provided him with a tool box that Obama did not have and it took him a while to take the lead proposed by Biden. MurphTheSurf3 8 minutes ago
Yep, that was a key part of the proposal I drafted a while back, desalination plants are needed now to try and catch up to the ongoing droughts but there is a polution factor for many of them and that is the sticking point for some. AdLib 8 minutes ago
There is a technology I referred to in my proposal, using a film of graphene, that would greatly reduce the power demands and reduce the footprint but we need to invest in developing and producing more of it because now it’s very expensive. But worth it IMO. AdLib 7 minutes ago
I agree with your pollution concers: In most desalination processes, for every litre of potable water produced, about 1.5 litres of liquid polluted with chlorine and copper are created. When pumped back into the ocean, the toxic brine depletes oxygen and impacts organisms along the food chain MurphTheSurf3 6 minutes ago
Well….I need to get to bed…..early association business tomorrow, then the concert, church Sunday morn, and then back to Il for the 13th. MurphTheSurf3 4 minutes ago
Obama was badly hamstrung by people like Rahm Emanuel who pressed him not to fight for big things. Biden not only didn’t have a choice to be shy about addressing Covid and the economy but he had can-do and aggressive people in his admin. I think Obama had a tough time because he had to surround himself with more moderate-to-conservative aides so he didn’t scare white America. I also wonder just how Progressive he was at heart, he was said to be more moderate. But what a brilliant and talented man, one of the smartest men in the WH followed by the absolutely dumbest ever to be in there. AdLib 4 minutes ago
I completely agree with Your Obama assessment. MurphTheSurf3 3 minutes ago
The brine from desalination should not be pumped back into the ocean, that I agree with but it can be processed into fuel though that aspect isn’t really addressed in most desalination plants,. AdLib 3 minutes ago
Ad…I was not aware of the fuel angle. MurphTheSurf3 2 minutes ago
It’s less profitable in the short term to build a processing plant to convert the brine extract into fuel but in the long term, it would be such a benefit for society. AdLib 2 minutes ago
Yep, it’s in my proposal. Can’t remember which university did a big study on it but you can Google it. AdLib a minute ago
Ad……brilliant. MurphTheSurf3 a minute ago
The witching hour is upon me…so with a respectful flourish…..have a good weekend….. MurphTheSurf3 in a few seconds
Problems like this should be addressed by government, to make desalination less poluting and address the shortage of potable water. And yet, it’s so slow for government to accomplish big things and the lawsuits from environmental groups, oil companies, etc. slow everything down. AdLib in a few seconds
Sounds good, sleep well and enjoy the concert! AdLib in a minute
Wise and experienced! Good night! MurphTheSurf3 in a minute
Night! AdLib in a minute
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