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Roland Gerritsen van der Hoop's avatar

With all the talk of masculinity, machismo, and alpha male posturing, the combined testicle-bearing claque around the former now indicted con-artist could not muster the courage to confront him and testify against him, even when he clearly broke his Oath to defend the Constitution and poses a grave danger to the nation. Cassidy Hutchinson, though, did, and put them all to shame. Buy her book, she needs and deserves it.

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Trixie's avatar

Purchased this morning.

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David Greenberg's avatar

The republican party has become a receptacle of human sewage. People like Cassidy Hutchinson, Liz Cheney And Adan Kinzingerare truly American heroes.

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Colleen Kochivar-Baker's avatar

In the Atlantic piece on Romney, one quote of his really stood out for me: "“A man gets some people around him and begins to oppress and dominate others,” he said the first time he showed me the map.

“It’s a testosterone-related phenomenon, perhaps. I don’t know. But in the history of the world, that’s what happens.” America’s experiment in self-rule “is fighting against human nature.”

Given that Romney's Mormon, and the LDS Church places an extremely high value on maleness, I found this quote a real example of Romney finally doing some self reflexion and coming to correct if hesitant conclusions. Not so with Cassidy Hutchinson. She sees clearly without hesitation. Maybe her courage is a lack of testosterone thing.

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Sep 26, 2023
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Paul K. Ogden's avatar

You should take your wins when you can get them.

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Colleen Kochivar-Baker's avatar

Sometimes getting some self insight takes dosing yourself with an enormous amount of pathetic sycophancy. Even Pence gives glimmers that he might be seeing some light way off in the distance... and he's another self castrated victim of authoritarian religion.

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Sep 26, 2023
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Colleen Kochivar-Baker's avatar

Love this line: "while he was a congress man came across as one of the judges at Salem witch trials."

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Jane in NC's avatar

Mike Pence, for all the praise he gets for doing his duty on 1/6th, knew about the coming plans for violence that day and did nothing. He didn't call the FBI, talk to DOD about lining up Guard troops, nothing.

The real heroes of that investigation were Cassidy Hutchinson, Ruby Freeman and Shae Moss. Mark Meadows and Mike Pence wouldn't even give a deposition to the Committee.

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Joy Crouch's avatar

I agree and now Pence thinks we should support him for President. I vote to send him into retirement.

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Jane in NC's avatar

He has zero future in elected politics. He gave away any chance of that. He doesn't deserve another.

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Bluchek Mark's avatar

And the real cowards are Trump and his minions who use their power and money to bully and savage ordinary Americans (especially women, like Ms. Freeman, Ms. Moss, and Ms. Hutchinson) who are just trying to perform their chosen jobs or volunteer service conscientiously.

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Sep 26, 2023
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Jane in NC's avatar

Comment Hall of Fame for this one. Let's not forget he was still protecting Trump after Trump sent a mob to murder him - and would have watched in glee if it happened.

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Sep 26, 2023
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Matt H's avatar

Har har har you came up with another degrading nickname for someone!!

Know who else does that?

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Sep 26, 2023
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Matt H's avatar

You can't seem to make a point without resorting to name-calling. Is this really DJT, doing a Pierre Delecto?

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Sep 26, 2023
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Matt H's avatar

So you're a counterpuncher. Definitely sure this is DJT.

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Paul K. Ogden's avatar

I'm with Matt. You can't stoop to Trump's level and still hold the high moral ground. If you think Pence is as "loathsome as they come," have you forgotten Donald J. Trump? I personally know Pence. I went to college and law school with him. Pence is actually a decent guy. He did, however, sell out his soul for political ambition. For that he deserves a ton of criticism. But in the Trump era, there are plenty of people worse than Mike Pence. And he did do the right thing on 1/6. Many people did not.

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Sep 26, 2023
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buns-n-butter's avatar

Even if you make good points, you're writing style is so over the top and strange a lot of people are just going to scroll through and ignore everything you say.

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JF's avatar

I just purchased the e-book version as a way to support her. I might let it sit unopened for a while; I’m already feeling the burden of this political season weighing on my psyche. Self protection is an ongoing struggle; there’s constant tension between staying informed, and feeling despair at the information out there.

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Matt Onderode's avatar

“Self protection is an ongoing struggle; there’s constant tension between staying informed, and feeling despair at the information out there.”

Very well put, GG. I, too, struggle with this mightily.

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JF's avatar

Thanks for the validation. It’s easy to wonder if the world has gone mad - or is it me?

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Amy H.'s avatar

The world is the correct answer here.

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JF's avatar

Thanks! I needed that!

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NLTownie's avatar

If possible, get backyard chickens. It is a world apart and a constant soap opera. Life, death, birth and very lovely eggs. Especially if you can manage to have a rooster. Time spent with chickens is a visit to a different universe. One can become completely absorbed in the small dramas, the spectrum of personalities, the triumphs and the woes. Every once in a while, a hen will go broody and eventually hatch chicks. That is so very sweet. Then some of the chicks grow into roosters and.... too many roosters gets to be disruptive and decisions must be made.

If you want an environment in which one is not tempted to think of American politics, chickens is a sure bet. You also get some really righteous compost as part of the bargain.

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JF's avatar

Here are some YouTube videos of chickens not playing well with children. They sure have a range of behaviors that come as a surprise!

https://youtu.be/e0GHi9mf-54?si=jNImTj6LpFb2Svr3

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NLTownie's avatar

Those chickens are too aggressive to be near small children When my son was three I made the mistake of leaving him in a friend’s chicken run by himself for only a moment and a rooster flew at his face and one of the rooster’s talons hooked into the soft skin under his eye before my son disengaged and ran. It just needed some cleaning up but it was less than an inch from his eyeball. It could have been quite serious. Chickens, like dogs, need to be socialized and small children need to be supervised when around chickens. Don’t let your kids hang out with chickens you aren’t familiar with. Roosters or cocks as they were known, used to be trained for fighting (in a cockpit) and some can be dangerously aggressive.

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JF's avatar

I agree. I’ve had some aggressive roosters, so I don’t keep them now. I’ve never had an aggressive hen though, probably because my “flocks” have been vary small? Hens can get aggressive with each other occasionally. Right now my three are all agreeable. That link was sent to me by someone who is afraid of chickens. (When my kids were small, we learned not to trust Pygmy goats that you often see at petting zoos.)

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NLTownie's avatar

Live animals aren’t like stuffed toys. Who knew?

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JF's avatar

I have two German Shepherds. Not stuffed. Very, very careful. Never off leash except in the forest. Some of us have shorter learning curves than others. Or different intentions.

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NLTownie's avatar

I live with two Labrador Huskies. Apparently they can’t be trained to accommodate cats or chickens. But they are very gentle with grandchildren. That being said, I would never trust any dog to be alone with infants or small children. It’s not fair to the dog… or the children.

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JF's avatar

Totally agree. Mine both tolerate the chickens, but one reacts around young children, so he’s never around my young grandchildren. I think most dog bites on children involve some level of denial on the part of the dog owners. Small children have rapid, erratic movements which stimulates the prey drive in many dogs.

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ahansen's avatar

Have to disagree here; in my experience, chickens are the most political, most viciously fascistic beasts on the planet-- the little dinos could put trump's maggots to shame. But if you truly want to see DC in action, try raising emus. . .

For example: Check out Useless Farm's "Karen" et al.

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NLTownie's avatar

We have a crossbreed Brama/Cochin rooster who is an enormous size and a rainbow of colours - gold, red, turquoise, and with sturdy feathers all over his feet. He is the undisputed leader of the flock which has eight hens, four six-week-old chicks and three roosters. His name is Lighting and he runs a tight command. One of the other rooster is his son and as soon as he was mature, went directly to second in command. The third rooster has accepted his role on the bottom rung and usually is assigned perimeter duty.

In August when the wild raspberries are plentiful, Lightning will lead a parade to the raspberry canes at the edge of their roaming territory. When the berries on the low bushes are all eaten, Lightning will pick the higher-up berries and put them on the ground for the hens and, unlike the other roosters, won’t eat any berries until his ladies have had their fill. About two hours before sunset, he leads the parade back to the chicken run because there is a black fox who shows up periodically in the two hours of transition at the beginning and end of the day. After eating and drinking, Lightning leads his charges up the ramp into the sturdy coop with the other two roosters rounding up any stragglers.Then he stands guard at the door of the coop until one of us comes to close up before he hops up to a perch for the night.

Lightning is a leader and captain of defence. He is an honourable gentleman who recognizes the chicks are part of his responsibility and if a chick wanders too far and can’t find Mama, he will lead the chick back to safety. He is simply magnificent. Don’t laugh when I say he embodies the characteristics of caring and responsibility and his is a happy flock.

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Carolyn Phipps's avatar

This is lovely. Thank you!

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JF's avatar

That’s hilarious - I actually have chickens! They are stalkers! I have one who routinely follows me into the house, and all my outbuildings. I told my daughter that the three words I utter most frequently are “Go away, chickens!”

They hear my boat come home and run to greet me. They are unfazed by my two German Shepherds and try to steal their dog treats.

I one time let a lonely broody hen have chicks - but I had to run buy them at the farm store, and after carrying them inside my shirt all day, I waited until dark to sneak those three chicks under her. It was awesome!

I deal unwelcome roosters by sending them on a “Quest” in the forest. Sorry, boys.

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Dianna Jackson's avatar

I wish I had some chickens. No room. However, our Labradoodle is fabulous too. He makes me laugh out loud daily. Love that guy.

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JF's avatar

Yes! Pets of all kinds smooth out the rough edges of life. Unfortunately private equity groups are buying up veterinary practices and making care unaffordable or even unavailable in many places. I read that’s a reason many people relinquished their “pandemic puppies”. I definitely notice it in my area; long wait times for appointments

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Nancy (South NJ coast)'s avatar

I ordered the book, too--while watching her thoughtful, riveting interview with Rachel Maddow last night. If I were a co-defendant in the cases against trump in which Hutchinson is likely to testify, I would beg the prosecutor for a plea bargain right now.

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JF's avatar

Her courage is irrefutable; I’m too scared to even put a bumper sticker on my car . . .

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NLTownie's avatar

With good cause. There’s a big difference between dereliction of duty and prudence. At the very least your car would get keyed and the insurance would refuse to cover it because your bumper sticker was “deliberately provocative”.

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JF's avatar

I’d be interested in actual data, but I only see right wing icons on cars (trucks) these days; they have no fear. This is how it unfolds . . .

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NLTownie's avatar

Could be Biden supporters aren’t as destructively aggressive as Trump supporters, ya think?

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JF's avatar

Yah, that’s what I think!

Data would be illuminating.

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JF's avatar

I didn’t see that interview, but I’m going to search for it now. Thanks!

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Jackie Ralston's avatar

I wasn't able to find the full interview on YouTube, but it looks like it's available from this link: https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show

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NLTownie's avatar

Thanks. Worth watching. Articulate, thoughtful and measured. And entirely credible.

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Jackie Ralston's avatar

She was just as good last night on O'Donnell's show.

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JF's avatar

Wow, that was an excellent interview on both sides of the desk. I’m 71 years old, and I can’t imagine having half of Hutchinson’s maturity, poise, integrity, dignity, competence and many other positive traits, at her age. I loved the parts when she was able to laugh. Now I’m more likely to read her book right away; I want to see the world through her eyes.

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Jackie Ralston's avatar

I was similarly impressed and will be buying her book soon myself.

Hutchinson will be on "The Last Word" tonight with Lawrence O'Donnell. If you don't have cable, you can watch it here: https://livenewschat.eu/politics/

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Linnea's avatar

She will be on Nicole Wallace tomorrow

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JF's avatar

Oh excellent! I listen to Lawrence O’Donnell via podcast. But given the opportunity (and the link - thanks!) I’d prefer to watch, with the benefit of body language, which conveys so much.

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JF's avatar

Wow, you’re fast! I’m going there now - thanks!

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Sep 26, 2023
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JF's avatar

What’s RMS? I looked it up and got “relapsing multiple sclerosis”.

Oops, “Rachel Maddow Show”. Context! (I say to myself).

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Sep 26, 2023
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JF's avatar

Yes, after seeing one interview I’m primed to read it as soon as I finish my escapist mystery. She’s a very compelling and admirable figure.

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Sep 26, 2023
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JF's avatar

Do you recommend Taylor’s book? I feel a dual motivation for buying the books of people who came back from the dark side; partly for the story and partly to support them; support for me is only partly financial but also a way of validating their integrity. It’s like a vote.

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Aggman's avatar

If only the Republican Party politicians and Fox News producers weren't such cowards and had just an ounce of Cassidy's courage...we wouldn't be in this the absurd state of politics that we are now. Such a shame!

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Jane in NC's avatar

Fox was apparently too busy promoting testicle tanning......

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Peter  V's avatar

Fox has a nut to crack?

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Jane in NC's avatar

And here I thought awful puns died with my dear old dad.

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Peter  V's avatar

quick! This is important! How old was your dad?

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Peter  V's avatar

So, years of bad puns before I sleep..

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Jane in NC's avatar

Make 'em count, Peter!

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NLTownie's avatar

My Dad made bad puns. I do as well, and my son. When my grandkids started doing it my daughter-in-law threw up her hands and moaned, “It’s genetic!”

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Jane in NC's avatar

I suspect your DIL is right!

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Aggman's avatar

Testicle tanning is way more important than saving our democracy.

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Eva Seifert's avatar

Isn't heat supposed to suppress sperm production? For all their talk about more children, it doesn't sound like they know much about conceiving them.

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Jane in NC's avatar

Oh, there you go with your facts and logic and stuff, Eva. 😜

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Eva Seifert's avatar

Sorry! 😆

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Sherm's avatar

Posturing is always like that. If someone has to tell me they're manly and tough, they're telling me that they're neither.

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R Mercer's avatar

I once wore a pink dress shirt to work (school teacher), I wore the shirt at my wedding, it was a high quality shirt and really went well with my suit.

Anyway...

had a couple of the "macho" boys try and give me crap about my pink shirt, to which I replied: The difference between you and me is that I am man enough to wear a pink shirt and look good in it.

That shut them up.

Too many posers any more.

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CW Stanford's avatar

Pink button down Oxford cloth, usually Brooks Brothers, a long-lasting classic. I got ten plus years out of one. No iron to boot!

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R Mercer's avatar

As I tell my students: I have shirts older than you... and they laugh until they realize it is the truth.

A good shirt will last a long time. My oldest is over 20 years old. Always buy quality in a dress shirt... or an actual work shirt.

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Kathe Rich's avatar

Phineas.

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GlenD's avatar

I do believe that attraction to pink is an evolutionary trait.

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Carolyn Phipps's avatar

Yay, you! I'm all for taking the drab out of men's fashion.

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