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Shannyn Palmer's avatar

My uncle didn’t count in the far right domestic terrorism statistics because he had dementia. He burned down my family’s home with my liberal mom inside two days before the insurrection. She survived. We didn’t blame him. He lived the rest of his days a free man with MAGA family until cancer took him last year. That’s what compassion looks like.❤️‍🩹

It’s the hateful rhetoric that’s the issue. This administration and some news networks tell fragile minds (dementia, vets with ptsd) who to hate. It’s generally groups of people: immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQ, the “lunatic left,” etc. When it comes from the highest offices in America (POTUS, Secretary of War), they treat it as gospel. Almost as permission to carry out a command. They make inappropriate connections that a healthy mind wouldn’t make, like the veteran who attacked the Mormons. I knew they would be targeted by a mind that needed help. He already had the grudge, but the fuel was added to the fire. It didn’t help to have the video of Charlie Kirk’s assassination shown on social media. I’ve never seen anyone die before. It broke me. It broke my cousin, too. He died 2 days after Charlie Kirk did. We need to take care of our veterans and those with mental instabilities.

Until the hateful rhetoric and propaganda stop, we aren’t going to progress as a country. More families will pay the price like mine. It all started with “the election was stolen” until it escalated into our house burning down. We’re not okay right now. I invite you to read my posts on my page or SubStack. They will give you much-needed depth. Please know that it will probably make you cry. And I’m sorry.❤️‍🩹🆘🇺🇸

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Tom Robinson's avatar

Thank you for making this point so clear that even some Trump supporters can understand it.

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Shannyn Palmer's avatar

It’s all I can try to do. ❤️‍🩹 I live in Portland, Oregon, and I had my most recent brain surgery four months ago. Ice and the troops haven’t been kind to people like me, so I don’t feel safe enough to protest in person. 💔🆘🇺🇸

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Clayton James Conway's avatar

Seattle. Trauma is the purpose of the GOP. Women or school shooting are supported by the GOP as fetus' feel the world as a survival environment wire their brains as unsafe and conservative. They are producing conservative voters despite the mothers being liberal.

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Jeanne Schultz's avatar

Mike and Katie, you are both terrific. Thanks for letting us hear how you're feeling. I can totally relate.

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Marchel's avatar

Or escape into fiction ?

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Marchel's avatar

I wear the weight of the world on my shoulders as well. You do have to step away and take care of yourself. It’s a must. It makes you a stronger person and ready to take on this crazy world .

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Leslie Kramer's avatar

It feels impossible - impermissible- to take any kind of break from being cortisol-driven to PAY ATTENTION to what's going down. Short pauses, breathing, and doing good things, help. Hyper-vigilance is addictive and also important. A balance....

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Terri Toso's avatar

One of the 22 Americans that were on the Global Sumud Flotilla was a musician and political activist that I love and listen often to her music. She, along with everyone on the Flotilla were illegally captured, detained, then brought to an Israeli prison. I have been so overwhelmed with ALL the Horror, but this one thing brought out the rage in me. I contacted all my reps and also reps in New Jersey where she resides. She and the rest of the Americans were released today! I know my phone calls did not necessarily do anything, they may not have even listened to them yet, as we are in this stupid shutdown. But the act of picking up the phone, which I haven't been able to do lately because I am so overwhelmed, which effing thing do I complain about, express outrage about, demand something be done?? It was a small thing but I felt it as a victory and psychologically, it helped. It made me want to do more, like I did in the beginning but then couldn't pick one thing out to focus on, and started to call less. I have done all the big protests and will be at this No Kings. But having one thing to focus on really helped me. What you said Mike, made me make this comment. First time!

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RICH GOPEN's avatar

Not sure where to say this, but maybe someone here has an answer: I tried to upgrade to paid but the payment plan was in Euros. What's up with that? And how do I do it in US dollars?

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BizzyBuzz's avatar

Thank you both!

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Frances E Sharples's avatar

I am a 75-year-old woman, so I hope you will understand why I am not participating in anything that could turn violent. But what I am doing is donating money all over the place (including to you, Mike) and that's going to have to suffice for me. Luckily, I can afford to give small amounts here and there, but I lost half my retirement money in an internet scam in 2022, close to $1 million, so I am a bit hamstrung where is concerned. But I am doing my best.

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Frances E Sharples's avatar

Silver Spring, MD is my home.

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Christina  Kilgore's avatar

I raised all of my children already. You guy’s are beyond beautiful! I love you guys. Keep safe and healthy!

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Christina  Kilgore's avatar

I’m at peace within myself and I know it’s hard. Yet you still can do it.

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Christina  Kilgore's avatar

I read all the time!

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Christina  Kilgore's avatar

Be yourself and don’t worry about what others think or say about you! You’re perfect the way you are!♥️♥️♥️

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Kevlizmom's avatar

Hi from Boston

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