43 Comments
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Sarah's avatar

I am a nobody citizen. I wrote over 300 not-so-kind emails to the orange monster during his first term through Write the President on the government site (also another group to the VP). When I realized he was the next president, it made me take a breath thinking about all the people who are in his crosshairs and whether I can do the same thing this time. While I know they were never allowed to show him anything but positive emails, I wondered if my name was on a List, or would get on a List if I do it again. Then I remembered I am a nobody! I am going to Flood His Zone. AT, you have inspired me since I happily discovered your work a long time ago. Keep it up, you are brave, patriotic and so talented. We need your voice!

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Ann Telnaes's avatar

You are not a nobody citizen- you’re an engaged citizen, which is what we need! Thank you.

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Sandra VO (Maryland)'s avatar

I love the Epilogue in of Bishop Mariann Budde'sbook How we Learn to be Brave. One of the excerpts was this: " I'm equally inspired by the rising generation of leaders to whom the future belongs." She then talks about listening to" a podcast On Being with Ayana Johnson, a marine biologist, dedicated to addressing the global climate crisis." She "describes herself more as one drawn to solutions and getting things done." Johnson said " I'm not a fan of hope as a guiding principle because it assumes that the outcome will be good, which is not a given." "But I am completely enamored with the amount of possibility that's available to us" Budde then writes: "My heart leapt when Johnson spoke of the possibility of our getting things right, that we already have much of what we need to address climate change and other environmental concerns. Johnson's final comment is: " We just have to do it."

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Stephen Brady's avatar

We are, all of us, painting targets on our backs by posting on the liberal Substacks so we might as well make some good trouble. I’m an old man with health problems, so not suited to marches, but I can type and call him out for the loathsome human odium he is. Go for it everyone!

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Jim Reddick's avatar

Thank you, Stephen. I'm aged and not-so-firm as I'd like to be, but I can still type along with you. I plan to participate in the "You're Fired!" postcard mailing on Saturday and hope everyone else will, too.

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SPW's avatar

Same here and with you all all the way 👍🏻💙.

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LYNN COOK's avatar

As Joyce Vance always says...

" WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!"

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LYNN COOK's avatar

BRAVO, Stephen...BRAVO.!

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Robin Howe's avatar

Thank you dear sir

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Nan Reiner's avatar

The F/Elons are nasty and sick.

They crave Machiavellian shtick.

It makes them gioioso

To speak Mafioso

And wield a Hitlerian stick.

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Mary Roeser's avatar

Intimidation is also the tactic of bullies and mobsters. Come to think of it, that does pretty such sum up this kakistocracy, doesn't it?

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Khanh Nguyen's avatar

Thank you for continuing to speak up!

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Jane Bodnar's avatar

They have no other game plan except bludgeon.

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Evelyn Scolman Lemoine's avatar

Another of your spot-on images, Ann. It brings sadness--and anger--that this is where we find ourselves, but it graphically speaks the truth.

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Terri Smith's avatar

Only a little over a month since the inauguration and it seems like decades!

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Jim Dollar's avatar

And what makes you, Ann, immune to intimidation? What makes you/us fear/absurdity/threat/terror proof? Why did Jeff Bezos and his ilk cave quivering in the dark?

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Mary Roeser's avatar

Because they were afraid they'd be shut down and therefore lose their money. It's all explained by where their priorities lay.

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Jim Dollar's avatar

So, they were BOUGHT OUT???? They are FOR SALE???? They will do anything for MONEY???? What a detestable way to go about life, no?

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Mary Roeser's avatar

Absolutely. And as for doing anything, no matter how illegal or immoral, I wouldn't put anything past Bozo any more than I would put anything past the Russian Agent in the White House or the drug-addled egomaniac at Doggie-Do or the de jure but not de facto VP Shady JD.

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Jim Dollar's avatar

I am so naive. Innocent as a lamb, so clueless I am. I don't have a chance in the Real World as lost as I am in the world as it ought to be. But to be cynical and well-grounded in life as it is, who can live knowing what's what all of the time? Give me my soft little make-believe "reality-proof" way of being! I am not built for waking up!

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Myvesa's avatar

They BOUGHT access and they will SELL their souls, if they ever had one, to the highest bidder. Anything not to antagonize the Orange Boss.

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Susie Troccolo's avatar

Dear Ann, inspiration to so many of us. I believe we are at a tipping point where any move to cripple Social Security and Medicare will bring out the BIG CROWDS. The big crowds are what we need—and I envision one simple yet profoundly powerful IMAGE that everyone will wield: on signs, on hats, on bumper stickers—whatever merch you are willing to give your permission to. A possible image: your drawing of a large chainsaw and the words: (Others will write something wiser, wittier, better than me ) “This stops NOW. ⛓️‍💥YOU ARE FIRED KING CON. 🪚 And if most people are waving the same sign, the impression will be powerful ( made for “ good television”, as King Con likes to say… Ann, is it possible to have something like that ready, so it can be mass produced and ready for the big demonstrations to come? I think it is the only thing this traitor Con-Man understands…when millions of us finally rise up to protest what is happening to our country right before our eyes. Gratefully asked, Susan R Troccolo, Portland, Oregon

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Stephen Brady's avatar

The Post is becoming a ghost of its former self. Ann is here giving us pause to think. Ruth Marcus resigned. Jennifer Rubin is running the Contrarian here on Substack. He isn’t going to have many decent writers or readers left.

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Rita ryack's avatar

You’ve got that right,

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Anne Francis's avatar

The Republican members of congress as well as judges and government employees are so afraid that the Orangeman Thugs will go after their families as well as themselves. A quiet but more threatening situation on top of our collective embarrassment about treatment of our neighbors and allies.

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Janet Gillis's avatar

You are spot on in your comment. I know about hate mail by citizens sent to a governor who stood up to the orange man. So not only is the current administration terrorizing people who stand up to DT but also his MAGA supporters. Like I wrote in another comment, feels like we are living in the days of Al Capone.

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Jeff Lazar's avatar

The elected Republicans (or whatever you want to call them) in the House and Senate are worried about being primaried if they should dare to speak up and lose their comfy jobs where they are paid more than you and I for doing basically nothing.

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Gunnar Jensen's avatar

Putin’s puppet; Orbán’s acolyte Muskkk obediently directs the 78 year old toddler to bluster & bellow. But we are many, we are strong, we know and remember. And, we’re not going away.

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ronbo97's avatar

Slightly off-topic: Another day, another WaPo columnist gone. Hoping substack welcomes Ruth Marcus to the fray. Is Dana next ?

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Sarah A. Green's avatar

Among the complaints listed against King George in the Declaration of Independence:

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

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Dia's avatar

Daniel Schuman’s FIRST BRANCH FORECAST gives us insight into just how America First is dismantling congress in today’s article. It gave me ideas for what I should say to my representatives when I call every day.

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Sarah A. Green's avatar

Good tip! Thanks

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