There is a segment of the population that thrives on meanness. They don’t care about politics or the issues. It’s the people who thought Let’s Go Brandon was a cool taunt.
Maybe what will make them ashamed of their behavior will be showing their children reflecting their worst selves.
I know that can tell a bad dirty joke but I don’t want to see my daughter repeat it.
I remember thinking on the day after election day 2016, that America really is as racist as I thought it was. It was a sick feeling knowing that there were enough people who voted for such a horrible person to be elected to the highest office in the country. He was unfit then, and he's even worse now.
True, they have no shame, but they, themselves, don't want to suffer bullying behavior. In the case of tfg and his ilk, we can never let up our defense of democracy and treating others fairly. Those who seek power and control will ALWAYS be seeking ANY opportunity to gain even a small bit of ground.
How I wish these bullies would learn a lesson but I fear just like the Germans had to do, it will be the hard way. Never thought this would happen here, that our citizens would be so stupid as to fall for this Flim Flam man.
Even more importantly, most of trumps voters are not in that crowd. Their parents were republicans, they just go in and “pull the lever”, knowing little to nothing about the candidate. It’s worse now, with the major newspapers not reporting clearly how wrong Trump is. Many, many kind, decent people think anything said about a Republican candidate is made up by the “other side”. (I didn’t say they were smart people. Just totally in the dark).
One of the outrageously inappropriate stickers or flags I have seen in the last few months is “F___ Biden”. I never in my lifetime have I seen something more inappropriate people don’t care that children are reading this stuff and it’s sticking in their little minds. We have become very heartless in our disagreements. As much as I don’t like tRump, I would never post something so offensive
"Maybe what will make them ashamed of their behavior will be showing their children reflecting their worst selves." - Well-said, we can only hope. Unfortunately though, by that time, the die may be cast.
One of Roy Cohn's rules that is at work here is that, "All publicity is good regardless of how negative it is." as we have seen his support seems to have grown with each indictment. Calling out his nonsense every time should be done, but including his supporters' reaction might be as important.
I’m going to be blunt. ‘Bully’ is correct, but it’s too kind of a word for him. He is such a pos. Mocking Biden’s stutter was the lowest of the low. He doesn’t surprise me anymore, but he sure does disgust me each and every time he opens his mouth. Vote, people. And if you are low enough to STILL support this piece of garbage, you’re better off staying home. You’d be doing your country a favor.
Trump was a bully when he was a child riding around his neighborhood on a bicycle tormenting younger children. A member of his Sunday School class stated in 2016 the students were always relieved when Trump didn't show up. As for his mocking the disabled, don't forget his mimicking a reporter who has a type of palsy. And then there's my son, disabled and in a wheelchair. He wanted to attend a Trump campaign speech so managed to get himself to one. When he entered the venue some of Trump's people wanted my son on stage near Trump (let's put a disabled guy up there so Trump looks good kind of thing). They put my son on the stage and shortly thereafter Trump arrived, took one look at the stage, animatedly said something to his staff, and next thing my son knew he was being removed from the stage. Trump couldn't bring himself to be in the company of a disabled person.
Thank you, but we're fine. I was proud of my son as he was determined to be fair and hear out both candidates before casting his vote in 2016. The real tragedy is that about half the voters in the U.S. think Trump's behavior is acceptable.
Thank you for your concern. My son is fine. He was attempting to be an educated voter by seeking out the candidates and listening to each one in person rather than rely on word-of-mouth and media coverage. He laughed when he relayed what happened and said he should have just listened to mom and not bothered with the MAGA rally.
I agree so what if he stutters, what in the world does that have to do with anything? It has nothing to do with intelligence. Trump doesn’t stutter but he’s certainly not very bright, he keeps committing crime after crime. He never seems to learn anything most especially how to be honest!
I’m sorry, John, for what you’ve gone through. And here it is 2024 and MAGA wants to turn the clock back 50+ years. We have to do everything in our power to prevent that. As for your typos, they’re fine. You got your message across without difficulty. What’s not fine is what will happen to this country if this very dangerous man gets back in that seat.
I am sorry that you endured such cruelty, John. Like the wonderful John Lewis, he too, faced the worst but both of you rose up and got into positions where you could make a difference in someone else’s life. Admirable and positive is the way you seem to me. My very best to you.
That’s a great story. I , too, stopped trying to understand MAGA and the dumb ass they worship. My sole goal is to get people out to vote for Democrats, democracy and President Biden.
I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm a 70 year woman, and I remember all the up rest in the 60's and 70's made me sad as I had a couple black girlfriends that were always being hassled. And I couldn't understand why, they are sweet, kind and funny, just like any white girl.
Unfortunately there will always be bullies and angry white men, and women. As long as orange baboon is on this earth, can't wait until he is 6 ft under
Thank you but I’ve long ago healed from that situation. None of what happened broke me. I hated my hometown for years after but, hey, it’s where I was born and lived for 21 years. I love Johnstown and wish it all the best. Not Trump though 😀
Being in county prison at 17 and a state prison Corrections Officer at 33 gave me a unique perspective.
My daughter being a veteran cop gives me both pride and the giggles 🤭
Me coming from the small city of Hartford, CT and my mama always taught me right from wrong and never to use the “N” word. And so one day one of my pals down the street used the word to describe the new neighbors. I remember the man was named Scott. I asked Marty to not say that word. But Marty, being a normal rambunctious kid began repeating the word until I lunged at him and we commenced a drag out fight. Punches, yelling and finally I got Marty in what we called a headlock now known as a choke hold. Marty began tearing and his face turned red yet he continued screaming that word. I finally let Marty go because even at that young age of 10, I knew I was close to killing him. As I brushed the dust off of myself and began walking home, Marty continued screaming that word at me. I can still hear him screaming that word today 60 years later. I hope Marty survived and changed his ways and has had a happy life.
Sometimes today when I write stories about race issues, I’m labeled insensitive or indeed, a racist if I don’t fall in line with what others think I should express about matters. I interpret issues based on my thought processes. I need to live with myself. We all always label each other to quickly. I think the internet has made us less tolerant. Maybe.
I invite you to suscribe to my blog: billkatz@substack
You have a powerful story and insight into the economics of your hometown, as well as an understanding of the residents. Your invalid justifications for their support of Trump could resonant with maybe one or two of your former hometown residents would listen to a former neighbor and now Texan Corrections Officer. Newspapers in western Pennsylvania could use an op ed from you ..... edit those typos and right on, write on!
Incredibly well composed John Perry; Kudo's brother ! (forget pain over niggling mistakes - your composition is so well done, it's fully understandable anyway, and that is the main thing). I have more to say to you, but not just now as I'm really, really spent. Should I forget though, please do 'tag' me, if you'd be interested. Bravo for your truth; I see you !
Heartbreaking ugly roots of America. Centuries of denial. Now is just more of those toxic chickens coming home to roost. We can’t let them win. So sorry you went through that. The poison of hate isn’t just in the South. Much respect for how you lived/live your life.
Thank you for this eloquent testimony about injustice. I am so sorry for what you went through as a teen in Johnstown. Thank you for embodying all that is good in America, for giving me hope, and for your service to our country. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Trump just pulled the band aid off the reality that in some places in this country nothing has changed since the 60s. The Supreme Court decision to abandon affirmative action proves that it goes all the way to the top as well. I’m sorry you went through that. Thank you for writing your “condensed biography”.
I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm sorry it still happens today. I'm sorry that there is still so much hate. Thank you for telling your story. It's incredibly powerful.
An important, moving and courageous post—and example for all of us. Thank you for sharing this with us. You are still making a positive difference in this world that so desperately needs it. Heartfelt and heart-sent thanks.
I am white and have never had a single moment where I disliked anyone because of their skin color. People that do aren’t worth even thinking about the same goes for sick antisemites. How to stop this I don’t know, but I think it starts at home. Parents and other family members passing on their ugly prejudices. They poison their children’s minds. It’s criminal.
It does start at home. My friend's son had swastikas texted to his cell phone three years ago; he was 12 at the time. Tired of being bullied he will no longer go to school. The authorities in Arizona City Arizona said they could do nothing. Where did the bullies learn this behavior? Given the ages... it must have been at home.
You are probably right , people really are hateful and unfortunately don’t understand the real harm they cause with their swastikas and fascist talk. It’s a pity that there aren’t more documentaries out there to show the harm that this kind of behavior can inflict on others. It seems that we’ve forgotten the horrors of the Nazi era and Trump is bringing it back to a new generation of hateful people ready to do what the Nazis did without an iota of shame. Trump is the WORST thing to happen to this country since it was founded. It’s so sad and depressing to learn that we live amongst so many hate filled people. I pray he doesn’t win because that will surely be the end of our Democracy.
I continue to wonder why veterans support tRump after he insulted Gold Star families, John McCain, all those buried in Europe and all the suckers and losers who have and are currently serving.
I am a veteran of Army service between 1971-1983...forward area of Korea and in Germany, both for 3 years each. I have a son who served in Afghanistan...none of us like Trump at all, and I do not understand why those do...
A number of stupid leaders who didn't like that I was one of the top 3 worldwide in my MOS and that I was willing to speak truth to power to make sure they knew the problems we had in maintaining the Hawk air defense missile system so we could perform our mission...
and people of faith.......thats a huge as puzzle for my small brain.......when a guy even says stuff like I have done more than Christ...even......exit stage right. He is ridiculous.......
I'm working on that very puzzle. Tune into my davidlsmith.substack.com blog next week and I'll share my take on "Why are Evangelical Christians all in for this most unchristian of men?"
I actually heard this with my own ears in a past dribble session when he was prez. Truly. I remember several things....how unchristian to say that and how little he had any inklings or faith knowledge......
Elaine, I think it is because they are not decent human beings, They are damaged beyond redemption, They enjoy the suffering of others and inflicting that suffering. They are not able to empathize or see any long term consequences of their actions, They don’t care if they destroy the planet that they need for life. I don’t think we need to try and understand them, we just need to believe that they really exist, and that they are really dangerous.
Permission to misbehave is an old formula that permitted Mao to starve, humiliate and murder millions in China. Attacking Jews, synagogues and businesses, legally sanctioned and authorized was encouraged in Nazi German, even before the invasion of Poland in 1939.
The taste of terror feeds on itself and this kind of behavior knows no limit!
Believe it or not, disabled German children were gassed to death, a fact I learned several years ago when waiting at a Polish bakery in New York. A German customer told me that her cousin was killed in the "kino", where mothers were told to bring their problem children to watch a movie. It was part of the build-up to the Master Race theory.
Hitler didn't want anyone he considered "inferior" in his Aryan society. That included not only Jews but also people with disabilities and gay men and women. The former president reminds me a lot of Hitler; he even uses some of the same words and phrases.
This makes me very sad, tearful and fearful. And I know it’s true. It’s History. Stephen Miller, one of his aids, is a Nazi. Look at project 2025. I think I’ll write about this in my journal in order to tuck my deep sadness away. I know it’s part of me, but also, I want to fight the fight against these unkind, unempathetic, and cruel people.
Any DECENT human doesn’t support this monstrosity. That’s what’s sad. Tens of millions of haters & pricks! He’s given them permission to be their worst. Watch Robert DeNiro’s comments from Bill Maher’s interview last week. Deniro is 100% correct.
I’m a veteran who disdain’s DJT. He’s a week older than myself. I accepted my draft notice and served 1969-71. He dodged the draft. Then called the 58,479 of our brother’s in arms who died in Viet Nam “suckers” and “losers.” No veteran should support this societal leach, to do so is to dishonor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
You need to know the truth. Donald was going to become a great war hero, one like America has never seen! He was anxious to go to Vietnam but was denied that right by an envious doctor who ficticiously said that this young, strapping and good looking, by the way, man had bone spurs.
So sad. Now he’s a hero like none other, despite having the 2020 election stolen from him.😜
You must have never been in the military. In the four years in the Navy, I was never else in my life around so many white male morons in one place at one time as I was aboard the old USS Rustbucket. Lots of good people I will never forget, but way too many morons.
In the Naval Air Reserve I was among a group of weekend warriors some of whom might have voted republican (we never discussed it), but would probably not vote for a bully. For me it’s the older veterans who should remember why their brothers and dads fought WWII - their support of an authoritarian bully really shocks me.
Well, think about it. The American Legion has always been right wing. They were originally founded in 1919 to become the American version of Mussolini's blackshirts. The DuPont attempted fascist coup against FDR planned to use the legion. I remember coming home from Vietnam and having some drunken old stumblebum in the legion hall after a lifetime janitorial career telling me "your kind isn't welcome here." He was right, and I have never been back. Most of the veteran's organizations got taken over by right wingers masquerading as "patriots." And way too many "good Republicans" got turned into "frogs in the simmering pot" over the past 40 years of Talk Radio and Faux Snooze. I've run across Trumpers I knew pre-Trump and I say to them "How can you do that? I know you didn't believe that shit before now." And they say they've been "red-pilled."
TC, I didn’t know you were in Nam. What years? My hubs was there ‘68-‘69. He is going through the PACT ACT as we speak…FINALLY! It’s taken me over 30 years to get him to go to the VA for diagnosis of Agent Orange and hearing.
I came here to say the same thing. Eight years in the Navy and most of the men were white and Republican. I’m sad that people I respected in those days, including someone a twenty something me looked up to like a father figure, have chosen to support someone who says such hateful things.
If I had to guess, most enlisted are from rural areas and/or red states and many continue a family tradition of military service. That would explain most of their political and cultural biases.
They don't. You've made a generality Bob; not "all" fit into that narrow box friend. The veterans that count the most in my view, are the ones who are sickened by that creatin, and there are "many."
Perhaps it has something to do with the FOX propaganda channel playing 24/7 on US military bases spewing out non stop lies of both omission and commission. Allowing FOX on the airwaves is no different than putting arsenic in the food and lead in the water….it’s all equally toxic.
I’ve commented many times on many outlets that Biden needs the balls to outlaw (by executive order), forced FOX at military bases but surprisingly, he has totally ignored my suggestion.
Jimmy Kimmel reading Trump’s Truth Social screed at the Oscars + then trolling him by saying “Isn’t it past your jail time?” Is the way to go. Give back to Trump a taste of his own medicine. Biden did that, to some extent, at the State Of The Union, and it was very effective.
You're so right, Pam! The one thing people - I use the term loosely - like Trump cannot stand is to be laughed at, mocked, ridiculed and disregarded. His ego bruises worse than a peach!
I am not even an American.....but follow things closely. His address had tearful moments for me. Maybe because its on the edge of a pecipice stuff and I hope sanity and goodness wins out over that moron..........
Teddy Roosevelt said it well…”Speak softly and carry a big stick.” DJT speaks loudly and carries a little dick. (Sarcasm is at times rather appropriate, don’t you agree?)
"Trump has made a habit of mocking those with disabilities." Also: "More than Trump’s ugly taunt, one thing stands out to me about these moments: the sound of Trump’s supporters laughing right along with him." Sounds like Hitler's speeches about the Jews to me. And so many of the German people cheering him along. Horrible.
"It Can't Happen Here" , an ironic tale, was written by Sinclair Lewis way back in 1935. When the Orange Sadist was elected in 2016, I realized that I needed to read that book. (Like you, I was naive -- until 2015.)
This morning, I was at a local shop operated by a friend. A young man came into the business who was obviously challenged in the intellectual and physical sense. He was wearing a MAGA cap. It was so disappointing. But reinforced my disgust for DJT. Only a complete fool would disparage those less fortunate than themselves.
I live among good people. They work hard and are very conservative, which in itself is not wrong. What’s wrong is misplaced loyalty to a man who could care less about my neighbors. Unfortunately, too many of our good citizen have drank the MAGA kool-aid.
I 'adore' South Dakota Eugene - adore it ! And the people I met there; salt of the earth - "Honey, try just a small slice of this pie, made today. C'mon honey, the wind's gonna' blow your little tail away" ! Those types and better. Sights were awesome and awe inspiring too. And.... funny too. I criss crossed from east to west nearly the entire width of SD on the main interstate (thanks Ike) running east to west. Funny reminder every what... 15 miles, that one "HAD to see 'Wall Drug' " for any number of reasons when they got to the Black Hills ! Know what ? I did - even though it cost me time to detour ! Tell your truth that you know, walk away to stubborn insistence, especially if they won't give you the time to listen. Deep down, most people are good. I believe that, or I'd just swallow a bottle of "End it All". Cheers anyway !
Most of us recognize that TFG is a bully and has mental issues.
But what gives with the people who follow him?
Veterans with disabilities, a reporter with a spastic condition, a President with a stutter; I doubt there is a single person in the USA who does not have a family member or know a person with a disability. Do Trump's followers laugh and snicker at them?
As an Arizonan I've never forgotten the TFG's snide remarks about Senator John Mc Cain. When Mc Cain died, his former jailer displayed flowers at the now museum/former Hanoi Hilton in honor of his former prisoner. Honoring a former enemy... impressive.
Thank you for spotlighting all the monstrosities. Project 2025 NEEDS MASSIVE PRESS coverage and is getting very little. People are sleepwalking towards the cliff, thinking blindly “it can’t happen here.” Oh, yes it can and the years of planning that make up the Project 2025 PLAN tell it all clearly. More at www.stopthecoup2025.org. None of this is normal except in aspiring autocracies! Trump wants to be king of the world with no consequences to any of his behavior. Preferably forever!
ABSOLUTELY! Project 2025 is a manifesto written by white Catholic men seeking to destroy America. Who else would put Britt up to the task to try and speak on behalf of the little women they want in the fucking kitchen??!! They think we are idiots and that we don’t see what havoc awaits us if Trump is reelected. Please people…pay attention to this and to whatever you can discover about Leonard Leo. He is the one who arranged lavish vacations for the justices. He is the one who along with Mitch McConnell, arranged for the complicit three to land on the bench. He’s evil and conniving. Is a friend of Ginni and Clarence Thomas.
The RNC, in its increasingly fractured ineffectiveness, could not write a conservative platform "worthy" of the Orange Emperor wannabe, so it fell to the Federalist Society to write a manifesto, Project 25, to galvanize the MAGA faithful to some kind of vision for an autocratic future under the Orange one. When you're broke, you have to find richer folks with whom to hang out, or you'll find yourself stuck amongst the common folk.
They're not Christians, they're Fundamentalists. Fundamentalism masquerades as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, but it's all the same - misogynist, patriarchal, proudly ignorant, rabidly aggressive... fill in the blanks. All of them are the same once past the surface.
Fundamentalists don't think for themselves. They need a patriarchal society so they will know how to waste their time. They believe Bible scripture should be accepted at face value so they don't have to think about its meaning. They don't understand the parables of Jesus unless some white male preacher tells them what they mean. They are ripe for an autocrat.
Heather Cox Richardson’s March 10 Letter came up with a very good, highly technical term for the policies of the MAGA faithful and Orbán - “heteronormative patriarchal world traditionalists”. Same applies to the Christofascists.
I think its that they are trapped in thinking America is the apple of God's eye so he must be behind it. It could be God doing mysterious things while on steroids.....or it could be memories of the story of Balaam and God using a donkey. Don The Con comes close to donkey....... :-)
Mary Frost, I salute you for reading, sharing your affiliation and confusion. My prayer is that you will share your concerns with fellow party members and pull the trump blindfold from their eyes. Bless you
Absolutely—call these weak bullies out every single time. And never let up. Never stop. Not for a second. Don’t give them an inch. Ever. Great piece.
There is a segment of the population that thrives on meanness. They don’t care about politics or the issues. It’s the people who thought Let’s Go Brandon was a cool taunt.
Maybe what will make them ashamed of their behavior will be showing their children reflecting their worst selves.
I know that can tell a bad dirty joke but I don’t want to see my daughter repeat it.
I remember thinking on the day after election day 2016, that America really is as racist as I thought it was. It was a sick feeling knowing that there were enough people who voted for such a horrible person to be elected to the highest office in the country. He was unfit then, and he's even worse now.
Sadly, they have no shame.
True, they have no shame, but they, themselves, don't want to suffer bullying behavior. In the case of tfg and his ilk, we can never let up our defense of democracy and treating others fairly. Those who seek power and control will ALWAYS be seeking ANY opportunity to gain even a small bit of ground.
How I wish these bullies would learn a lesson but I fear just like the Germans had to do, it will be the hard way. Never thought this would happen here, that our citizens would be so stupid as to fall for this Flim Flam man.
So true and reflective of a dumbed down society.
Even more importantly, most of trumps voters are not in that crowd. Their parents were republicans, they just go in and “pull the lever”, knowing little to nothing about the candidate. It’s worse now, with the major newspapers not reporting clearly how wrong Trump is. Many, many kind, decent people think anything said about a Republican candidate is made up by the “other side”. (I didn’t say they were smart people. Just totally in the dark).
One of the outrageously inappropriate stickers or flags I have seen in the last few months is “F___ Biden”. I never in my lifetime have I seen something more inappropriate people don’t care that children are reading this stuff and it’s sticking in their little minds. We have become very heartless in our disagreements. As much as I don’t like tRump, I would never post something so offensive
"Maybe what will make them ashamed of their behavior will be showing their children reflecting their worst selves." - Well-said, we can only hope. Unfortunately though, by that time, the die may be cast.
One of Roy Cohn's rules that is at work here is that, "All publicity is good regardless of how negative it is." as we have seen his support seems to have grown with each indictment. Calling out his nonsense every time should be done, but including his supporters' reaction might be as important.
Any actual response from someone other than their hero, might encourage someone to think about what they're blindly supporting.
Thank you Scott. I admire your writing tremendously.
I’m impatiently waiting to edit my typos.
Thanks John! I have tpoys all the time
That's right. Just maintain a consistent
and loud autistic screeching. Tell your mom the mean kids have been picking on you again. That's the ticket.
🙄
Waste of time. Will have no influence on Trump. Or his vile followers. They could care less.
I’m going to be blunt. ‘Bully’ is correct, but it’s too kind of a word for him. He is such a pos. Mocking Biden’s stutter was the lowest of the low. He doesn’t surprise me anymore, but he sure does disgust me each and every time he opens his mouth. Vote, people. And if you are low enough to STILL support this piece of garbage, you’re better off staying home. You’d be doing your country a favor.
Trump was a bully when he was a child riding around his neighborhood on a bicycle tormenting younger children. A member of his Sunday School class stated in 2016 the students were always relieved when Trump didn't show up. As for his mocking the disabled, don't forget his mimicking a reporter who has a type of palsy. And then there's my son, disabled and in a wheelchair. He wanted to attend a Trump campaign speech so managed to get himself to one. When he entered the venue some of Trump's people wanted my son on stage near Trump (let's put a disabled guy up there so Trump looks good kind of thing). They put my son on the stage and shortly thereafter Trump arrived, took one look at the stage, animatedly said something to his staff, and next thing my son knew he was being removed from the stage. Trump couldn't bring himself to be in the company of a disabled person.
Sounds just like the hollow coward he is. Time for him to go.
Way past time.
That’s just awful! 😢 I feel for you and your son.
Thank you, but we're fine. I was proud of my son as he was determined to be fair and hear out both candidates before casting his vote in 2016. The real tragedy is that about half the voters in the U.S. think Trump's behavior is acceptable.
That's the saddest, but truest thing!!
Your son’s experience further solidifies many people’s belief Trump is truly a nasty, hateful man lacking empathy.
I’m hoping your son wasn’t scarred by this.
Thank you for your concern. My son is fine. He was attempting to be an educated voter by seeking out the candidates and listening to each one in person rather than rely on word-of-mouth and media coverage. He laughed when he relayed what happened and said he should have just listened to mom and not bothered with the MAGA rally.
GOD bless you and your son. Stay strong!!
Wow
Irish
To draw a parallel, the school yard bully and his underlings laughing as the bully torments his victim.
Thats why HE is a good for nothing piece of shit, and his pathetic underlings validate their worthless selves through mocking someone.
Indeed. Cowards are always the cruelest. He can laugh himself to the grave. He’ll never be MY president.
November 2024 make it so
💯 agree
I agree so what if he stutters, what in the world does that have to do with anything? It has nothing to do with intelligence. Trump doesn’t stutter but he’s certainly not very bright, he keeps committing crime after crime. He never seems to learn anything most especially how to be honest!
When you can turn the pain and humiliation into compassionate power,
you've moved mountains.
Thanks for believing in yourself and making by difference in fulfilling America's
promise.
Thank you. I can’t wait to edit all typos in my post.
No typos, just pure truth.
I’m sorry, John, for what you’ve gone through. And here it is 2024 and MAGA wants to turn the clock back 50+ years. We have to do everything in our power to prevent that. As for your typos, they’re fine. You got your message across without difficulty. What’s not fine is what will happen to this country if this very dangerous man gets back in that seat.
Let’s join together and make certain that doesn’t happen.
Thank you.
My friends didn’t live to see what’s happening in our country now.
I am sorry that you endured such cruelty, John. Like the wonderful John Lewis, he too, faced the worst but both of you rose up and got into positions where you could make a difference in someone else’s life. Admirable and positive is the way you seem to me. My very best to you.
Thank you but I would never compare my experience to John Lewis’. Mr. Lewis did great things after his beating. I did some good things after mine.
True! GOD bless and help us!
That’s a great story. I , too, stopped trying to understand MAGA and the dumb ass they worship. My sole goal is to get people out to vote for Democrats, democracy and President Biden.
I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm a 70 year woman, and I remember all the up rest in the 60's and 70's made me sad as I had a couple black girlfriends that were always being hassled. And I couldn't understand why, they are sweet, kind and funny, just like any white girl.
Unfortunately there will always be bullies and angry white men, and women. As long as orange baboon is on this earth, can't wait until he is 6 ft under
TRUTH!
I am truly sorry for what you and your friends endured - this still enraged me .
Thank you but I’ve long ago healed from that situation. None of what happened broke me. I hated my hometown for years after but, hey, it’s where I was born and lived for 21 years. I love Johnstown and wish it all the best. Not Trump though 😀
Being in county prison at 17 and a state prison Corrections Officer at 33 gave me a unique perspective.
My daughter being a veteran cop gives me both pride and the giggles 🤭
Me coming from the small city of Hartford, CT and my mama always taught me right from wrong and never to use the “N” word. And so one day one of my pals down the street used the word to describe the new neighbors. I remember the man was named Scott. I asked Marty to not say that word. But Marty, being a normal rambunctious kid began repeating the word until I lunged at him and we commenced a drag out fight. Punches, yelling and finally I got Marty in what we called a headlock now known as a choke hold. Marty began tearing and his face turned red yet he continued screaming that word. I finally let Marty go because even at that young age of 10, I knew I was close to killing him. As I brushed the dust off of myself and began walking home, Marty continued screaming that word at me. I can still hear him screaming that word today 60 years later. I hope Marty survived and changed his ways and has had a happy life.
Sometimes today when I write stories about race issues, I’m labeled insensitive or indeed, a racist if I don’t fall in line with what others think I should express about matters. I interpret issues based on my thought processes. I need to live with myself. We all always label each other to quickly. I think the internet has made us less tolerant. Maybe.
I invite you to suscribe to my blog: billkatz@substack
My hope is that we learn not to "label" each other.
Thanx!! GOD bless!
John
You have a powerful story and insight into the economics of your hometown, as well as an understanding of the residents. Your invalid justifications for their support of Trump could resonant with maybe one or two of your former hometown residents would listen to a former neighbor and now Texan Corrections Officer. Newspapers in western Pennsylvania could use an op ed from you ..... edit those typos and right on, write on!
AMEN, I agree!!
Incredibly well composed John Perry; Kudo's brother ! (forget pain over niggling mistakes - your composition is so well done, it's fully understandable anyway, and that is the main thing). I have more to say to you, but not just now as I'm really, really spent. Should I forget though, please do 'tag' me, if you'd be interested. Bravo for your truth; I see you !
Heartbreaking ugly roots of America. Centuries of denial. Now is just more of those toxic chickens coming home to roost. We can’t let them win. So sorry you went through that. The poison of hate isn’t just in the South. Much respect for how you lived/live your life.
Thank you for sharing this compelling and painful, heartfelt story. Wishing all the best for you and yours.
John Perry,
Thank you for this eloquent testimony about injustice. I am so sorry for what you went through as a teen in Johnstown. Thank you for embodying all that is good in America, for giving me hope, and for your service to our country. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You survived
To quote Spock: Live long and prosper!
Lots of Love from up North
Trump just pulled the band aid off the reality that in some places in this country nothing has changed since the 60s. The Supreme Court decision to abandon affirmative action proves that it goes all the way to the top as well. I’m sorry you went through that. Thank you for writing your “condensed biography”.
I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm sorry it still happens today. I'm sorry that there is still so much hate. Thank you for telling your story. It's incredibly powerful.
An important, moving and courageous post—and example for all of us. Thank you for sharing this with us. You are still making a positive difference in this world that so desperately needs it. Heartfelt and heart-sent thanks.
I am white and have never had a single moment where I disliked anyone because of their skin color. People that do aren’t worth even thinking about the same goes for sick antisemites. How to stop this I don’t know, but I think it starts at home. Parents and other family members passing on their ugly prejudices. They poison their children’s minds. It’s criminal.
It does start at home. My friend's son had swastikas texted to his cell phone three years ago; he was 12 at the time. Tired of being bullied he will no longer go to school. The authorities in Arizona City Arizona said they could do nothing. Where did the bullies learn this behavior? Given the ages... it must have been at home.
You are probably right , people really are hateful and unfortunately don’t understand the real harm they cause with their swastikas and fascist talk. It’s a pity that there aren’t more documentaries out there to show the harm that this kind of behavior can inflict on others. It seems that we’ve forgotten the horrors of the Nazi era and Trump is bringing it back to a new generation of hateful people ready to do what the Nazis did without an iota of shame. Trump is the WORST thing to happen to this country since it was founded. It’s so sad and depressing to learn that we live amongst so many hate filled people. I pray he doesn’t win because that will surely be the end of our Democracy.
I continue to wonder why veterans support tRump after he insulted Gold Star families, John McCain, all those buried in Europe and all the suckers and losers who have and are currently serving.
I am a veteran of Army service between 1971-1983...forward area of Korea and in Germany, both for 3 years each. I have a son who served in Afghanistan...none of us like Trump at all, and I do not understand why those do...
Thank you for your family's service and sacrifice.
We need to ask ourselves what are we doing wrong. I think it’s healthy to self criticize.
I agree, we're doing something wrong
Do you remember all the idiots you unfortunately ran across there? They were the future Trumpers.
A number of stupid leaders who didn't like that I was one of the top 3 worldwide in my MOS and that I was willing to speak truth to power to make sure they knew the problems we had in maintaining the Hawk air defense missile system so we could perform our mission...
Why does any decent human support him, especially veterans, persons of color, and women. It is a terrible tragedy.
and people of faith.......thats a huge as puzzle for my small brain.......when a guy even says stuff like I have done more than Christ...even......exit stage right. He is ridiculous.......
Yes, the people declaring themselves of faith and support orange guy. ARE NOT PEOPLE OF FAITH. They are the opposite!
True!!!
Yes, and so called Christians believe he is sent by god! 🤣. If anything he is the anti-Christ, sent by satan,
True Christians, GOD fearing belivers know better!!!
Many terrible things have been done in the name of Christ.
I'm working on that very puzzle. Tune into my davidlsmith.substack.com blog next week and I'll share my take on "Why are Evangelical Christians all in for this most unchristian of men?"
The insurrectionist said that he has done more for evangelicals than any other president. Someone satirized that statement.
See my later comment. Snopes found that the insurrectionist did not say this.
I actually heard this with my own ears in a past dribble session when he was prez. Truly. I remember several things....how unchristian to say that and how little he had any inklings or faith knowledge......
Elaine, I think it is because they are not decent human beings, They are damaged beyond redemption, They enjoy the suffering of others and inflicting that suffering. They are not able to empathize or see any long term consequences of their actions, They don’t care if they destroy the planet that they need for life. I don’t think we need to try and understand them, we just need to believe that they really exist, and that they are really dangerous.
Very WELL said!! Thank you for articulating what I could not! GOD bless!!!
The article mentions it: Because Trump gives them permission to be their worst selves.
Permission to misbehave is an old formula that permitted Mao to starve, humiliate and murder millions in China. Attacking Jews, synagogues and businesses, legally sanctioned and authorized was encouraged in Nazi German, even before the invasion of Poland in 1939.
The taste of terror feeds on itself and this kind of behavior knows no limit!
Believe it or not, disabled German children were gassed to death, a fact I learned several years ago when waiting at a Polish bakery in New York. A German customer told me that her cousin was killed in the "kino", where mothers were told to bring their problem children to watch a movie. It was part of the build-up to the Master Race theory.
Such sad, weak and evil people. How arrogant to believe themselves a master race.
So true!
Hitler didn't want anyone he considered "inferior" in his Aryan society. That included not only Jews but also people with disabilities and gay men and women. The former president reminds me a lot of Hitler; he even uses some of the same words and phrases.
This makes me very sad, tearful and fearful. And I know it’s true. It’s History. Stephen Miller, one of his aids, is a Nazi. Look at project 2025. I think I’ll write about this in my journal in order to tuck my deep sadness away. I know it’s part of me, but also, I want to fight the fight against these unkind, unempathetic, and cruel people.
That makes me sick, Babette. Just ill
THAT PART!!!!!
Any DECENT human doesn’t support this monstrosity. That’s what’s sad. Tens of millions of haters & pricks! He’s given them permission to be their worst. Watch Robert DeNiro’s comments from Bill Maher’s interview last week. Deniro is 100% correct.
I’m a veteran who disdain’s DJT. He’s a week older than myself. I accepted my draft notice and served 1969-71. He dodged the draft. Then called the 58,479 of our brother’s in arms who died in Viet Nam “suckers” and “losers.” No veteran should support this societal leach, to do so is to dishonor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
You need to know the truth. Donald was going to become a great war hero, one like America has never seen! He was anxious to go to Vietnam but was denied that right by an envious doctor who ficticiously said that this young, strapping and good looking, by the way, man had bone spurs.
So sad. Now he’s a hero like none other, despite having the 2020 election stolen from him.😜
You must have never been in the military. In the four years in the Navy, I was never else in my life around so many white male morons in one place at one time as I was aboard the old USS Rustbucket. Lots of good people I will never forget, but way too many morons.
In the Naval Air Reserve I was among a group of weekend warriors some of whom might have voted republican (we never discussed it), but would probably not vote for a bully. For me it’s the older veterans who should remember why their brothers and dads fought WWII - their support of an authoritarian bully really shocks me.
Well, think about it. The American Legion has always been right wing. They were originally founded in 1919 to become the American version of Mussolini's blackshirts. The DuPont attempted fascist coup against FDR planned to use the legion. I remember coming home from Vietnam and having some drunken old stumblebum in the legion hall after a lifetime janitorial career telling me "your kind isn't welcome here." He was right, and I have never been back. Most of the veteran's organizations got taken over by right wingers masquerading as "patriots." And way too many "good Republicans" got turned into "frogs in the simmering pot" over the past 40 years of Talk Radio and Faux Snooze. I've run across Trumpers I knew pre-Trump and I say to them "How can you do that? I know you didn't believe that shit before now." And they say they've been "red-pilled."
I didn’t know that history and appreciate your input.
TC, I didn’t know you were in Nam. What years? My hubs was there ‘68-‘69. He is going through the PACT ACT as we speak…FINALLY! It’s taken me over 30 years to get him to go to the VA for diagnosis of Agent Orange and hearing.
What on earth is “red pilled”?
People in the movie, "The Matrix," are given a choice between taking a red pill or blue pill.
I came here to say the same thing. Eight years in the Navy and most of the men were white and Republican. I’m sad that people I respected in those days, including someone a twenty something me looked up to like a father figure, have chosen to support someone who says such hateful things.
Sounds like we're the same kinds of sailor, Elizabeth - smart ones. :-)
If I had to guess, most enlisted are from rural areas and/or red states and many continue a family tradition of military service. That would explain most of their political and cultural biases.
That’s absolutely fair to say. I enlisted from a blue state/urban area, and I also continued a family tradition of military service. A mixed bag!
Same here.
As a US Army vet, I second the motion!
Check out vote vets they call tRump a traitor out loud.
Well worth donating to,them! They do good work!
Yes they do
They don't. You've made a generality Bob; not "all" fit into that narrow box friend. The veterans that count the most in my view, are the ones who are sickened by that creatin, and there are "many."
I hope you right and that they voice their opposition and vote.
Perhaps it has something to do with the FOX propaganda channel playing 24/7 on US military bases spewing out non stop lies of both omission and commission. Allowing FOX on the airwaves is no different than putting arsenic in the food and lead in the water….it’s all equally toxic.
Perhaps the Commander in Chief should be told and channels can be changed. CNN is trying to be a more balanced source.
I’ve commented many times on many outlets that Biden needs the balls to outlaw (by executive order), forced FOX at military bases but surprisingly, he has totally ignored my suggestion.
Write to your senators and rep, if you haven’t already. Write to Jill Biden, too.
And the soldier of muslim faith?
Fuck Agent Orange
Jimmy Kimmel reading Trump’s Truth Social screed at the Oscars + then trolling him by saying “Isn’t it past your jail time?” Is the way to go. Give back to Trump a taste of his own medicine. Biden did that, to some extent, at the State Of The Union, and it was very effective.
You're so right, Pam! The one thing people - I use the term loosely - like Trump cannot stand is to be laughed at, mocked, ridiculed and disregarded. His ego bruises worse than a peach!
Yes, that’s how it all started when President Obama ridiculed him at the Correspondents Dinner. Trump can dish it out but he can’t take it.
I spite of some disappointments with President Biden, we must support him and insure he is re-elected.
Billkatz@substack
I voted for a better man not a perfect man. He will have my vote again
As someone said last week, "I'd rather have a president with 81 years behind him than one with 91 counts ahead of him."
Great line
LOl TC ~ I'm gonna' use that one...
That’s a good one 😊
Thank you.
👍👍
Amen
Absolutely!
well said
Amen, Lisa
Who did you vote for as the better man?
Joe Biden. I don’t seek perfection I seek a good and wise leader.
Exactly
POTUS
I am not even an American.....but follow things closely. His address had tearful moments for me. Maybe because its on the edge of a pecipice stuff and I hope sanity and goodness wins out over that moron..........
And I am confident that this extremely negative behavior will assure Joe Biden will be re-elected thank God.
the mystery is that a lot of God followers like it...............maybe Christianity needs a redefinition...
McKinley, make that “supposed” (fill in the blank, e.g., christians [lower case on purpose].
It’s NOT Christian behavior! And these haters are loudly proclaiming how Christian they are! Makes me puke.
The antichrist insurrectionist cult.
👍🤞
As an indigenous person on this continent I strongly resent the token line - Make America Great again...
I have many thoughts on topic... I will spare you my speech... but the last person that could ever return these lands to their prior glory is trump
well said Dee.........well said.
Beautifully said. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Give us your speech.
Teddy Roosevelt said it well…”Speak softly and carry a big stick.” DJT speaks loudly and carries a little dick. (Sarcasm is at times rather appropriate, don’t you agree?)
Stormy Daniels is the eyewitness who used "small mushroom" to describe what she found.
I really cannot wait to listen to Stormy’s testimony in the upcoming “hush money” trial! Should better “revealing.”
I intend to be in the courtroom reporting.
Ohhhhh…exciting! Are you with any of MSM networks? Newspapers?
No just a local weekly and here. It’s not my main profession.
Keep us posted and good luck!
lol ... again TC ! Your killin' me brother !
I like this comment!
DITTO!!!!
🤣
"Trump has made a habit of mocking those with disabilities." Also: "More than Trump’s ugly taunt, one thing stands out to me about these moments: the sound of Trump’s supporters laughing right along with him." Sounds like Hitler's speeches about the Jews to me. And so many of the German people cheering him along. Horrible.
We are reliving Germany in the 1930s. Beware!
I have felt that way since the orange sadist "won" in 2016.
I can't believe my eyes and ears.
Fascism in America.
I must have been very naive.
"It Can't Happen Here" , an ironic tale, was written by Sinclair Lewis way back in 1935. When the Orange Sadist was elected in 2016, I realized that I needed to read that book. (Like you, I was naive -- until 2015.)
This morning, I was at a local shop operated by a friend. A young man came into the business who was obviously challenged in the intellectual and physical sense. He was wearing a MAGA cap. It was so disappointing. But reinforced my disgust for DJT. Only a complete fool would disparage those less fortunate than themselves.
Insane!!! He must only watch newmax and Faux, and be completely oblivious to the orange sadist's ugly words.
I live in South Dakota. Here, Trump has a strong foothold on the general political narrative
I live among good people. They work hard and are very conservative, which in itself is not wrong. What’s wrong is misplaced loyalty to a man who could care less about my neighbors. Unfortunately, too many of our good citizen have drank the MAGA kool-aid.
I 'adore' South Dakota Eugene - adore it ! And the people I met there; salt of the earth - "Honey, try just a small slice of this pie, made today. C'mon honey, the wind's gonna' blow your little tail away" ! Those types and better. Sights were awesome and awe inspiring too. And.... funny too. I criss crossed from east to west nearly the entire width of SD on the main interstate (thanks Ike) running east to west. Funny reminder every what... 15 miles, that one "HAD to see 'Wall Drug' " for any number of reasons when they got to the Black Hills ! Know what ? I did - even though it cost me time to detour ! Tell your truth that you know, walk away to stubborn insistence, especially if they won't give you the time to listen. Deep down, most people are good. I believe that, or I'd just swallow a bottle of "End it All". Cheers anyway !
Tragic. More power to you.
Shame on these elders and parents. So selfish and just mindless
Exactly, kdsherpa. He even uses a lot of the same words and phrases as Hitler.
Stephen Miller is tfg’s speech writer. He is a Nazi.
He is an awful man. Apparently he's the only person in his family with these views.
Most of us recognize that TFG is a bully and has mental issues.
But what gives with the people who follow him?
Veterans with disabilities, a reporter with a spastic condition, a President with a stutter; I doubt there is a single person in the USA who does not have a family member or know a person with a disability. Do Trump's followers laugh and snicker at them?
As an Arizonan I've never forgotten the TFG's snide remarks about Senator John Mc Cain. When Mc Cain died, his former jailer displayed flowers at the now museum/former Hanoi Hilton in honor of his former prisoner. Honoring a former enemy... impressive.
well said
Thank you for spotlighting all the monstrosities. Project 2025 NEEDS MASSIVE PRESS coverage and is getting very little. People are sleepwalking towards the cliff, thinking blindly “it can’t happen here.” Oh, yes it can and the years of planning that make up the Project 2025 PLAN tell it all clearly. More at www.stopthecoup2025.org. None of this is normal except in aspiring autocracies! Trump wants to be king of the world with no consequences to any of his behavior. Preferably forever!
ABSOLUTELY! Project 2025 is a manifesto written by white Catholic men seeking to destroy America. Who else would put Britt up to the task to try and speak on behalf of the little women they want in the fucking kitchen??!! They think we are idiots and that we don’t see what havoc awaits us if Trump is reelected. Please people…pay attention to this and to whatever you can discover about Leonard Leo. He is the one who arranged lavish vacations for the justices. He is the one who along with Mitch McConnell, arranged for the complicit three to land on the bench. He’s evil and conniving. Is a friend of Ginni and Clarence Thomas.
The RNC, in its increasingly fractured ineffectiveness, could not write a conservative platform "worthy" of the Orange Emperor wannabe, so it fell to the Federalist Society to write a manifesto, Project 25, to galvanize the MAGA faithful to some kind of vision for an autocratic future under the Orange one. When you're broke, you have to find richer folks with whom to hang out, or you'll find yourself stuck amongst the common folk.
I find it hard to believe that true Christian’s back this womanizer, liar and just the biggest ASS ON THE PLANET
They're not Christians, they're Fundamentalists. Fundamentalism masquerades as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, but it's all the same - misogynist, patriarchal, proudly ignorant, rabidly aggressive... fill in the blanks. All of them are the same once past the surface.
They really aren’t Christians. They are in a cult and don’t realize it.
I can't figure it out either. Secretly do these Christians desire to be just like Trump and break all the Ten Commandments?
Fundamentalists don't think for themselves. They need a patriarchal society so they will know how to waste their time. They believe Bible scripture should be accepted at face value so they don't have to think about its meaning. They don't understand the parables of Jesus unless some white male preacher tells them what they mean. They are ripe for an autocrat.
Heather Cox Richardson’s March 10 Letter came up with a very good, highly technical term for the policies of the MAGA faithful and Orbán - “heteronormative patriarchal world traditionalists”. Same applies to the Christofascists.
I think its that they are trapped in thinking America is the apple of God's eye so he must be behind it. It could be God doing mysterious things while on steroids.....or it could be memories of the story of Balaam and God using a donkey. Don The Con comes close to donkey....... :-)
that's 'christians' with a small 'c'.
Yes cc cc
Thank you, Dan—keep doing what you’re doing! TFG’s behavior is deplorable—he is the worst sort of bully—and we must not become “used to” it!
Thank you Libby. Kind words. Much appreciated.
If only Republicans would read this.
It would not matter
Heartbreaking.
So true
They have no feelings
They don’t care!
It might.
They can read?
yup....Joe told em......he knows they can....just very selectively I think
that was an aspirational comment, not a reflection of the facts...
so they can't read ????
All evidence agrees with you!
They know. They don’t care.
I do care...
Are you/were you a Republican?
Well, I’m not a Democrat. Am I Republican? I hardly recognize the party I’ve mostly been part of.
Thank you for reading this and having an open mind. :)
It must be especially confusing and sad for you.
I'm reading...
And do you think it’s okay for him to make fun of people with disabilities? Don’t you think that is a personality flaw?
NO and yes
and Joe pointed out that they can read!
Mary Frost, I salute you for reading, sharing your affiliation and confusion. My prayer is that you will share your concerns with fellow party members and pull the trump blindfold from their eyes. Bless you
What does this say about that state of our nation when 30 to 50% of the country can support and even enjoy this type of behavior?
Steve - Registered Rs are 28% of registered voters, so 30% is probably the high end. They're just disproportionately loud and rude.
I wonder how many are too ashamed to register, but privately admire and support the bigot?
Theoretically, though, who'd know how they were registered? Except maybe in states in which voters have to declare a party in primaries.
well said
Thank you Dan! I truly appreciate your continued support of democracy. Hi Bearkats! Erin
Yes for me too it was those in the trump audience that laughed along with him. The worst of us.